A hacking group known as ExfilSquad is believed to be responsible for the attack.

09:39, Mon, Aug 3, 2026 Updated: 09:40, Mon, Aug 3, 2026

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Over 100,000 police officers have had their personal details leaked (Image: Getty)

The personal details of more than 100,000 police officers and staff have been exposed on the dark web following a cyberattack that has raised "serious concerns". The breach targeted the Police National Legal Database (PNLD), an online resource that provides legal guidance to police forces across England and Wales. Hackers also gained access to information connected to the Ministry of Defence, the Home Office, the National Crime Agency and the Crown Prosecution Service.

The incident is the latest in a series of cyberattacks targeting Government systems, coming just days after the Department for Education revealed that more than half a million records had been compromised in a separate breach. Although the attack on the PNLD was initially believed to be relatively minor when it emerged last week, it has since become clear that the leaked information includes officers' full names and contact details, which have now been published on the dark web.

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One official affected by the leak said: "I have worked in serious organised crime and put high-level criminals behind bars. For private information to be leaked about me is very disconcerting and puts officers at serious risk.

"In the past I have been forced to move into safe houses and sell cars due to my job.

"Now I will have to keep my wits about me online and look out for anyone trying to get more serious information. It is not a good look."

Female Traffic Police Officer Recording Details Of Road Traffic Accident On Mobile Phone

The breach targeted the Police National Legal Database (Image: Getty)

A hacking group known as ExfilSquad is believed to be responsible for the attack.

According to police sources cited by The Times, the data of around 114,000 PNLD users was exposed, with serving police officers making up the overwhelming majority of those affected.

A statement from the group online read: "Once your company's data is posted here, it's NEVER leaving the public eye and it will be passed around the internet FOREVER.

"The payment we request of you is simply a rounding error compared to the litigation costs of your data leaking. Be smart and just pay."

Tiff Lynch, the chairwoman of the Police Federation, said: "This reported breach raises serious concerns for officer and staff safety.

"At a time when cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, [the police] and its partners must be properly funded to ensure the strongest possible cyber security protections are in place to safeguard sensitive personal data."

A Government spokesperson said: "We have dedicated capabilities to respond to cyber incidents, and it would be inappropriate to comment on a live investigation."

An NCA spokesperson said: "We are aware that limited personal details relating to a number of National Crime Agency officers may have been published on the dark web as a result of the incident affecting the police national legal database."