A number of people were identified as suspects by the Devon and Cornwall Police investigation.

A file has been sent to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

Investigations into 10 serving police officers or force support staff have been overseen by the Police Complaints Authority (PCA).

Investigations have been completed into eight of those, with a final decision awaited on two others.

A file has been sent to the CPS in connection with 12 other people who were the subject of the investigation.

A PCA spokesman said it had been alleged by a businessman that he had been blackmailed with information that allegedly came from police records.

Devon and Cornwall Police deputy chief constable Nigel Arnold said any report that confidential data had been improperly disclosed was very serious, and a thorough investigation followed.