The University of Bedfordshire has launched a review after confidential medical data from teenage research participants was found abandoned in an unlocked filing cabinet . Folders containing adolescents ' names , addresses , stages of puberty and other details were discovered during a clear - out of offices at Bedfordshire 's Luton campus in July , according to a source at the university . Details of about 50 research participants had been left unsecured in a public office for more than two years following a research project in 2012 , the source said . The files contained participants ' doctor 's details , as well as information about their percentage of body fat and diet . The university quickly secured the files after being told that they were not under lock and key , the source said , but seemed unaware that the data had been there in the first place . The research , which looked at differences in body fat distribution between different ethnic groups , was carried out in collaboration with Luton and Dunstable Hospital NHS Trust . Concerns over the release of confidential medical data have grown in recent years , with a report in 2014 finding that there had been more than 7,000 incidents of data being either stolen or accidentally released since 2011 . In response to these concerns , earlier this year the Information Commissioner 's Office was given the right to force public healthcare organisations to carry out a compulsory audit of their data protection procedures . No such power exists over universities , but the ICO can investigate those believed to be in breach of the Data Protection Act , and can fine institutions up to 500,000 for serious violations . A spokeswoman for the university said in a statement : " The University of Bedfordshire can confirm some participant data , from a research project in 2012 , that was found to be inappropriately stored was quickly and fully secured . " A review has begun into why the university 's procedures for the oversight and security of data storage were not followed on this occasion . The staff involved with the project left the university some time ago . It would not be appropriate to comment further until this review has been carried out , " she said . ;