Title

CRIME

Russian hackers accessed private data, council says

Gloucester City Council has warned residents that some personal information may have been stolen by Russian hackers.

Gloucester City Council has warned residents that some personal information may have been stolen by Russian hackers.

The Cyber attack in December 2021 damaged the council's network and online services.

An investigation by the council and cyber incident response experts concluded that while some personal information ‘may have been taken' criminals have not published anything and are unlikely to in the future.

Seven Russian cyber criminals have been sanctioned by the UK and US Government's in relation to this and other incidents.

Gloucester's managing director, Jon McGinty, said: ‘I share the annoyance of the public that we were targeted in this way; this criminal group targeted our council among other private and public sector organisations to disrupt our public services in an attempt to extort a ransom payment from the council.

‘I am sorry for any concern this announcement may cause residents and members of the public, but would like to emphasise this occurred in December 2021 and, based on advice received from our national law enforcement partners, the council believes it is unlikely that any information taken will be released in the future.'

CRIME

The local outcomes framework comes with risks

By Ian Miller | 17 February 2026

Ian Miller says the local outcomes framework is a tool to allow Whitehall to intervene and he is concerned it could be used in future to channel resources.

CRIME

Local government finance settlement leaves sector divided

By Martin Ford | 17 February 2026

The most controversial local government finance settlement for years has divided the sector. Martin Ford looks at the fallout.

CRIME

Government U-turns on elections delays

By Martin Ford | 16 February 2026

The Government has withdrawn its decision to postpone local elections in 30 areas.

CRIME

Plymouth powers up youth futures

By Cllr Jemima Laing | 16 February 2026

Cllr Jemima Laing says Plymouth is backing its young people and investing in the city’s future prosperity by spending more than £2.3m to transform three of i...

Popular articles by William Eichler