Computer Misuse Act

Freedom of Information (FOI) Act request ref: 01/FOI/25/9205

Version Date: 24/12/2025

The Performance & Analysis Department has provided the following information:

Data Source                                    

Crimes recorded on crime information system - NICHE 

Data Processing:  

Search of PNLD for relevant offences                                                 

Qliksense Occurrence People Links (All) Report                                              

Filtered on Crimed Date: 01/01/2019 - 01/12/2025  

Filtered on the following offences                                    

053/54 Cause a computer to perform function to secure / enable unauthorised access to a program / data                         

053/34 Unauthorised access to computer to facilitate the commission of an offence

053/34 Unauthorised computer access with intent to commit other offences          

053/35 Unauthorised acts with intent to impair operation of or prevent / hinder access to a computer                                   

053/55 Make / adapt / supply etc article intended for use / to assist in commission of section 1 or 3 Computer Misuse offence                         

053/55 Obtain an article for supply for use to commit / to assist in commission of s1 / 3 / 3ZA computer misuse offence                          

053/55 Supply / offer to supply article believing intention to use / assist in commission of s. 1 or 3 computer misuse offence                          

053/55 Computer Misuse Act 1990 - making, supplying or obtaining articles for use in offence under section 1, 3 or 3ZA                         

068/02 Unauthorised act in relation to a computer causing / creating risk of serious damage                             

068/03 Unauthorised act in relation to a computer causing / creating risk of serious damage to human welfare/national security                          

Caveats/Limitations                                              

• No crimes/Cancelled Crimes excluded                                       
• Restricted Crimes Excluded                                             
• Performance and Analysis can no longer search the UNIFI Case Data report as it has been decommissioned. A search for non-notifiable offences is now limited to NICHE data in the Offence Management report which explains the rise in figures from 15/11/2022 onwards                                    

1) How many offences under the Computer Misuse Act 1990 the force has recorded in each of the following years - 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.

2) How many arrests have been made in connection with these offences. 

*Up to 1^st December only

Please Note: The number of arrests are subject to change where investigations are ongoing