Two arrested by the Met following nursery cyber-attack

Detectives investigating reports of a cyber-attack on a chain of London-based nurseries have made two arrests.

On Tuesday, 7 October, specialist officers from the Met conducted a proactive operation at a number of residential properties in Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, where two people were arrested on suspicion of computer misuse as well as blackmail.

Two boys, both aged 17, were arrested at the scene and taken to custody. They remain there for questioning.

It follows a referral sent from Action Fraud to the Met Police on Thursday, 25 September which detailed a ransomware attack on a set of pre-schools in Greater London.

Will Lyne, Met’s Head of Economic and Cybercrime, said:

“Since these attacks took place, specialist Met investigators have been working at pace to identify those responsible.

“We understand reports of this nature can cause considerable concern, especially to those parents and carers who may be worried about the impact of such an incident on them and their families.

"We want to reassure the community and anyone affected that this matter continues to be taken extremely seriously.

“These arrests are a significant step forward in our investigation, but our work continues, alongside our partners, to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.”

The Met’s enquiries remain ongoing.