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DNA database row erupts
15 mins ago
DNA profiles of innocent people are to be deleted from the national database but campaigners are angry that the new rules do not go far enough. Skip related content
Related photos / videos
Thousands to be deleted from DNA database Play video
They pointed out that innocent people accused of serious violent and sexual offences who are released without charge will still have their genetic profile stored for 12 years under the Home Office plans.
And those falsely accused of less serious crimes will stay on the database for six years before being removed automatically.
Current rules, under which everyone arrested has their genetic fingerprint stored indefinitely, were judged illegal by the European Court of Human Rights last year.
Strasbourg said the policy of retaining all suspects' data was "blanket and indiscriminate".
The Government's response makes clear that criminals convicted of "recordable" offences - those which can lead to a prison sentence - will stay on the database for life, as will under 18s who commit sexual or violent crimes.
But youngsters convicted of only one minor offence will be deleted from the database when they turn 18.
Police will also track down around 30,000 criminals who committed serious sex or violent crimes before the database was built so their profiles can be added.
All genetic material taken from suspects, such as blood or swab samples, will be destroyed.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: "The DNA database plays a vital role in helping us do that and will help ensure that a great many criminals are behind bars where they belong.
"These new proposals will ensure that the right people are on it, as well as considering where people should come off.
"We will ensure that the most serious offenders are added to the database no matter when or where they were convicted.
"We also know that the database has provided matches for a significant number of serious crimes as well as providing thousands of matches for less serious crimes that cause great concern to victims, such as burglary, which is why we are proposing to keep some profiles for six years."
Civil liberties groups have threatened legal action over the plans, which they said would leave Britain "massively out of step with the rest of the world".
Shami Chakrabarti, director of Liberty, said: "This well-spun proposal proves that the Home Secretary has yet to learn about the presumption of innocence and value of personal privacy in Britain.
"Wholly innocent people - including children - will have their most intimate details stockpiled for years on a database that will remain massively out of step with the rest of the world. With regret we shall be forced to see her in court once more."
DNA database row erupts
15 mins ago
DNA profiles of innocent people are to be deleted from the national database but campaigners are angry that the new rules do not go far enough. Skip related content
Related photos / videos
Thousands to be deleted from DNA database Play video They pointed out that innocent people accused of serious violent and sexual offences who are released without charge will still have their genetic profile stored for 12 years under the Home Office plans.
And those falsely accused of less serious crimes will stay on the database for six years before being removed automatically.
Current rules, under which everyone arrested has their genetic fingerprint stored indefinitely, were judged illegal by the European Court of Human Rights last year.
Strasbourg said the policy of retaining all suspects' data was "blanket and indiscriminate".
The Government's response makes clear that criminals convicted of "recordable" offences - those which can lead to a prison sentence - will stay on the database for life, as will under 18s who commit sexual or violent crimes.
But youngsters convicted of only one minor offence will be deleted from the database when they turn 18.
Police will also track down around 30,000 criminals who committed serious sex or violent crimes before the database was built so their profiles can be added.
All genetic material taken from suspects, such as blood or swab samples, will be destroyed.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: "The DNA database plays a vital role in helping us do that and will help ensure that a great many criminals are behind bars where they belong.
"These new proposals will ensure that the right people are on it, as well as considering where people should come off.
"We will ensure that the most serious offenders are added to the database no matter when or where they were convicted.
"We also know that the database has provided matches for a significant number of serious crimes as well as providing thousands of matches for less serious crimes that cause great concern to victims, such as burglary, which is why we are proposing to keep some profiles for six years."
Civil liberties groups have threatened legal action over the plans, which they said would leave Britain "massively out of step with the rest of the world".
Shami Chakrabarti, director of Liberty, said: "This well-spun proposal proves that the Home Secretary has yet to learn about the presumption of innocence and value of personal privacy in Britain.
"Wholly innocent people - including children - will have their most intimate details stockpiled for years on a database that will remain massively out of step with the rest of the world. With regret we shall be forced to see her in court once more."
