London police apologise over Al-Fayed data breach

London's Metropolitan Police have apologised after accidentally sharing email addresses of 157 women who reported sexual abuse by late Harrods owner Mohamed Al-Fayed. A monthly update sent on August 11 failed to use blind carbon copy, leaving recipients' emails visible to others on the distribution list. The breach affected around 140 women, BBC News reports, and the UK data watchdog has been notified.

The force said it identified the error quickly, contacted victims directly, and is reviewing processes to prevent a repeat. Al-Fayed, who died in 2023 aged 94, faced complaints of sexual assault, rape, and trafficking, but was never prosecuted during his lifetime. Harrods opened a compensation scheme last year after a BBC documentary prompted more former employees to come forward; 259 victims have applied.

The Met has questioned six people suspected of enabling Fayed's offences but has made no arrests yet. The investigation into the data breach is ongoing.