A WORCESTERSHIRE MP is backing jail sentences of up to two years for criminals who steal personal data.

Nigel Huddleston, a former Google executive, says the growing threat of cyber security means ministers need to consider a harsher crackdown.

The Conservative, who represents Mid-Worcestershire, sits on the Commons' Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee which has just examined the state of play.

The committee's report recommends a new custodial sentence of up to two years for people convicted of 'unlawfully obtaining and selling personal data'.

It follows a series of serious data breaches at TalkTalk, the digital company embroiled in controversy last year.

The committee has warned that the problem of data theft is much more significant than many people realise, and that it is growing.

Mr Huddleston said: "Cyber Security is a big issue in the modern world and its only growing in significance.

"Ninety per cent of large organisations have reportedly experienced a security breach, and 25 per cent of companies experience a cyber-breach at least once a month.

"More needs to be done to inform and educate customers and companies about cyber security.

"Companies must stay one step ahead of potential attacks and have proper processes in place to ensure this is the case.

"It must be a key priority of all companies to protect and inform their consumers, and for Government and regulators to oversee that they protect customer’s properly."

The report calls for better consumer rights over data protection and more awareness of scams people can fall victim of - something which will be raised with ministers.

Company directors and chief executives could also be slapped with sanctions if they ignore the crackdown, with their firms facing fines for being unable to verify if certain communications are genuine.

The Government is also being asked to launch a "consumer awareness campaign" on the perils of online data theft - and how people can avoid it.

Mr Huddleston's committee believes ministers can take the example of the widely successful campaign over smoke alarm testing across Britain.

In October last year hackers attacked TalkTalk's website, stealing confidential customer data.

The firm was initially uncertain as to the extent of the hack, but after an investigation it said 157,000 customers' personal details had been accessed.

More than 15,600 bank account numbers and sort codes were stolen.