'Larger batch' of stolen data published after Leicester cyber-attack

Police and the National Cyber Security Centre are investigating the attack

More stolen data has been published online following a cyber-attack at Leicester City Council.

Police were alerted after the council was forced to disable its phone and computer systems on 7 March.

The authority said on 3 April that 25 stolen documents had been posted online but now a "much larger batch" had been released.

Bosses at the city council said the attack on its systems was "highly sophisticated".

The council said its IT networks were now back online and that a known ransomware group, which has hit a number of government, education and health organisations around the world, was responsible.

The council said a "very sophisticated gang" had claimed responsibility for the attack

Richard Sword, the council's strategic director of city development and neighbourhoods, said: "Cyber security and police experts working with the council informed us [on Monday] that another batch of stolen data had been published.

"At 1.3 terabytes, this is a much larger batch of data than the 25 documents published last week.

"We are in the process of reviewing the data to see exactly what it consists of, and have notified the Information Commissioner of our actions.

"We have a duty to inform anyone considered at high risk as a result of data breaches.

"Due to the amount of data published, we will be prioritising people who may come under this category."

"We realise this data breach will cause concern, and apologise for any distress caused," Mr Sword added.

"We continue to work with Leicestershire Police and the National Cyber Security Centre as part of this investigation."