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Peter Black and South Wales West Liberal DemocratsRepresenting Aberavon, Bridgend, Gower, Neath, Ogmore, Port Talbot, and Swansea |
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More than one person every minute is added to DNA database say Welsh Lib Dems
August 3, 2007 12:00 AM
People are being added to the DNA database at a rate of more than one every minute, according to the Welsh Liberal Democrats.
The statistic comes amid reports that the Home Office has been urged to allow police to take DNA samples for offences such as dropping litter. In an answer to a Parliamentary Question by Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Nick Clegg MP, the Government admitted that 722,464 profiles were added to the DNA database in 2006-07, the equivalent of one every 45 seconds.
Commenting, Welsh Liberal Democrat Social Justice Spokesperson Peter Black AM said:
"Labour's onward march towards a surveillance state has now become a headlong rush. They seem determined to hoover up the DNA details of as many people as they can, regardless of guilt or innocence. Labour has used the excuse of national security for a sustained attack upon the rights and liberties of the citizens of this country. We already have by far the largest DNA database in the world, and these figures make it clear just how fast it's growing.
"DNA is a vital tool in the fight against crime, but such a massive database must be subjected to proper scrutiny - especially when it contains details of nearly 150,000 people who were never charged, let alone convicted of an offence."
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