Public sector and social care recruiter Metro3 Staffing has successfully been prosecuted for offences under the Data Protection Act by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

The Peckham-based staffing firm was fined £250 and ordered to pay costs of £448, as well as the victims’ surcharge of £15.

The firm was found to have failed to notify a data controller despite alerts from the ICO of its obligations under the Data Protection Act.

Under the Act, organisations that process individuals’ personal information may have to notify the Information Commissioner’s Office at a nominal cost of £35 per year.  

Assistant information commissioner, Mick Gorrill, says: “Organisations must take their data protection responsibilities seriously. Recruitment companies hold a wealth of personal information on their clients and we will not hesitate to take action against the small minority of organisations flouting the Act.”