Peterborough Police have temporarily suspended their use of the Peterborough and Northumberland Crime Stoppers tip line and online portal following a data breach involving a third-party software provider.
Police say the breach involves Navigate360, a company that provides tip-management software to Crime Stoppers programs across Canada and the United States.
Investigators have not yet determined whether any tips connected to Peterborough Police investigations were compromised.
Chief Stu Betts says the service is taking precautions while the extent of the breach is investigated.
“This breach of data is concerning to our Organization and upon learning of this breach, I immediately initiated a request of the extent, if any, to which tips provided to the Peterborough and Northumberland Crime Stoppers program, about cases in the jurisdiction of the Peterborough Police Service may have been compromised,” Betts said.
Police say they will not resume using the Crime Stoppers reporting channels until they are satisfied that a secure portal is available.
The Peterborough and Northumberland Crime Stoppers program serves several agencies, including Peterborough Police, area OPP detachments, Cobourg Police, Port Hope Police and Curve Lake Police.
Police emphasized that Crime Stoppers is an independent organization and does not have direct or indirect access to Peterborough Police databases.
The decision to suspend use of the reporting system does not reflect a loss of confidence in the local Crime Stoppers organization.
Residents who need to provide information about a crime can still contact Peterborough Police directly.
Tips can be submitted by calling 705-876-1122, extension 388, or by emailing tips@peterboroughpolice.ca.
However, police warn that these reporting methods are not part of Crime Stoppers and anonymity cannot be guaranteed.
Anyone submitting information by email is advised to avoid including identifying details, such as their name, address, phone number or relationship to those involved. Police also ask residents not to attach photographs, videos or other files.
The service says it will review the findings of the breach investigation to determine whether police operations or the privacy and safety of tipsters have been affected.
