In November it was revealed that the computer server at the Climate Change Unit at the University of East Anglia had been hacked and e-mails leaked.

An inquiry was started by Norfolk Police.

Now it has been revealed the force is getting help from the National Domestic Extremism Unit, based in Huntingdon.

A spokesman for the unit said: "At present we have two police officers assisting Norfolk with their investigation, and we have also provided computer forensic expertise.

'Detailed inquiry'

"While this is not strictly a domestic extremism matter, as a national police unit we had the expertise and resource to assist with this investigation, as well as good background knowledge of climate change issues in relation to criminal investigations."

Climate change sceptics claim the e-mails showed data was being manipulated.

Professor Phil Jones, who has stood down as director Climatic Research Unit while an independent review takes place, said he stood by his data.

The files stolen from the computer include documents, detailed data and private e-mails exchanged between leading climate scientists.

Norfolk Police said: "The UEA continues to co-operate with the enquiry, however major investigations of this nature are of necessity very detailed and as a consequence can take time to reach a conclusion.

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