The Big Brother Watch report claims to have uncovered more than 1000 incidents across 132 local authorities, including at least 35 councils who have lost information about children and those in care.

In addition it says that at least 244 laptops and portable computers were lost, while a minimum of 98 memory sticks and more than 93 mobile devices went missing.

“There will always be losses” says Tankard, “ but if data is properly encrypted the lost data will be inaccessible and therefore worthless.

“ Encryption keys must, of course, be stored separately. Encryption is the obvious step everyone should have in place to protect their data at rest or in storage and that includes all local authorities.”

 Of the 1035 incidents, local authorities reported that just 55 were reported to the Information Commissioner’s Office with just 9 incidents resulting in termination of employment.

“We lag far behind the United States when it comes to taking the security of our data seriously.  Everyday there seems to be another data loss in one industry or the other and very little seems to be done about it” adds Tankard.

  “I believe change is due and we will see an increased level of fines, some at substantial levels, coming in to play in the near future.  If that means this critical issue is taken seriously, then I am totally for it” he adds.