Oxfordshire County Council taken offline while it investigates a 'known issue, affecting websites globally'

The authority’s main website, where residents can access council services, including parking and traffic filter permits, library accounts, information, care, and community support.

Attempting to access the website results in an error and a Google warning: “attackers might be trying to steal your information” from the website, “for example, passwords, messages or credit cards”.

Contacted for comment on the situation and questioned on why the website has been brought down, whether there are cybersecurity concerns, the impact on council services and authroity more widely, a spokesperson for Oxfordshire County Council said: “You can find updates on our WhatsApp channel.”

The council shared the following statement on social media: “Unfortunately, we have had to take our main website down as a precaution while a known issue, affecting websites globally, is investigated.

“We don’t yet know when it will be back online but will continue to provide updates to the situation.”