Such a penalty was vital "if the law is to provide an effective deterrent against the illegal trade in personal data", which was "widespread and organised", he wrote in his response. Exceptions should be made for journalists and artists, he stated, when there is a "reasonable belief" that obtaining and disclosing the information was in the public interest.

In one incident of reckless data use, a police officer in Essex unlawfully searched the Police National Computer and other systems 800 times. He passed on mobile phone records and checked up on his housemate’s two sisters. He was only fined £750.

Reckless!?