Former member of police staff pleads guilty to computer misuse offences

A former member of police staff has pleaded guilty after being charged with 11 counts of computer misuse.

Laura Dean, who was based at Bridgwater Police Centre, appeared before Exeter Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 12 August.

Dean used a police computer system to carry out searches on a number of individuals, including herself.

None of the illegal searches Dean made related to victims of crime she had contact with in a professional capacity.

The 33-year-old was released on unconditional bail and will be sentenced on Wednesday 16 September.

Dean resigned from her role at Avon and Somerset Police in September 2025.

A separate misconduct process has been running alongside the criminal investigation and will continue following Dean’s conviction.

Detective Superintendent Larisa Hunt, head of our Professional Standards Department, said: “The computer system Laura Dean accessed is used to record crime reports, intelligence and other highly sensitive information and she was permitted to use it as part of her day-to-day work.

“Employees receive training around the need to only use this system when there is a policing purpose. Before the programme opens, officers and staff must consent and acknowledge that they can only use the software when there is a valid policing need.

“Dean ignored those warnings and used the system repeatedly for searches which she clearly knew were inappropriate. Her actions were deliberate and in no way accidental.

“The public place trust in the police and expect their data to be only accessed when required.

“It is for that reason we have taken these offences so seriously and our Professional Standards Department primarily conducted this as a criminal investigation, with further misconduct proceedings to potentially follow too.”