The chief executive of Co-op confirmed all 6.5 million of its members had their data stolen in a cyber-attack in April. She stated, 'I'm devastated that information was taken.' There was no financial data, only names, addresses, and contact information that was lost. Despite the attack, she expressed that she would not step down and offered an apology for the incident.
The arrests of two men aged 19, a third aged 17 and a 20-year-old woman were made at their home addresses in London, Staffordshire, and the West Midlands, with support from West Midlands Regional Organised Crime Unit (Rocu) and the East Midlands Special Operations Unit.
The high street shop fronts are seen as connecting various domestic problems in Britain, as illegal cigarette sales are tied to serious organized crime and undermine public trust in authorities.