Cyber attack-hit council 'rebuilding services'

A council has said it is focusing on supporting vulnerable residents as it rebuilds services after a cyber attack.

A major incident was declared by Tewkesbury Borough Council, in Gloucestershire, after it was attacked on Wednesday afternoon. An investigation is underway.

The council's chief executive Alistair Cunningham said officers contained the attack by shutting systems down themselves, and no personal data was breached.

Community hubs have been set up across the borough in Bishop's Cleeve, Churchdown, Brockworth and Winchcombe.

Mr Cunningham could not say when services will resume but added the council is focusing on "vulnerable residents who rely on us for support".

The council is receiving assistance from the National Cyber Security Centre and specialist cyber teams to "work out what happened, why and how we can recover", he said.

Mr Cunningham told the BBC it had been a "stressful couple of day" and he does not know who is behind the attack.

"The specialists are helping us," he said.

"We've no idea whether it's a state actor or an individual in their bedroom trying to [create] mischief."

He added that residents should "please bear with us" and officers are working on urgent enquiries.

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