One in Ten on DNA Database

The number of profiles stored on the DNA database by police forces in England and Wales has topped 10% of the population for the first time according to information obtained by Shadow Minister for Crime Reduction and Hornchurch MP James Brokenshire. As at 15 October 2009 5,532,847 individual profiles were held on the National DNA database by police forces in England and Wales amounting to more than 1 in 10 of the population.

The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that the current blanket and indiscriminate retention of DNA profiles of people suspected but not convicted of offences was an interference with the right to respect for private life violating article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The Home Office recently announced that they were dropping plans to introduce changes to the current retention arrangements in favour of new proposals that would be brought forward in the Queen's Speech later this year.

James Brokenshire has given his backing to a system similar to that used in Scotland where the DNA profiles of those not convicted of an offence would only be retained in circumstances where charges relating to a crime of violence or a sexual offence had been brought. In these circumstances DNA profiles could be retained for three years subject to an extension for a further two years with court approval.

Commenting James Brokenshire said:

"The Government has been obsessed with growing the DNA database for the sake of it regardless of guilt or innocence. Despite being told that their approach is unlawful they have been dragging their feet about doing anything about it. Conservatives have set out a workable approach to deal with this issue balancing personal freedom against community safety. Just how many more DNA profiles of the innocent have to be added before the Government is prepared to act?"

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