Local authorities are being warned to wake-up to the danger of data loss, after revelations of councils losing sensitive documents. A BBC survey found 13 councils in London alone had lost or wrongly revealed personal data about members of the public. It comes as Simon Charlton, from Weightmans Solicitors, warns in this week's The MJ that local authorities need to wise-up to data security. Research for the BBC revealed personal files for a court hearing, including a statement of special educational needs, were stolen from the bag of one London social worker who had gone to a pub after work. Tim Allen, the LGA's head of analysis and research, said: ‘Councils have data protection policies in place, and any lapses are largely down to individuals not following procedures. But nobody should be complacent.'
