Latest News > 09 March 10 - Crime and Security Bill DNA retention

 

MPs have rejected a Tory bid to cut the time that someone's DNA can be kept on a police database.


During debate on the Crime and Security Bill at report stage, shadow Home Office minister James Brokenshire claimed that the national DNA database contains the profiles of up to 70% of all young black men in the UK, leading to "significant concern" in ethnic minority communities.


The controversial database has the records of 40% of black men of all ages, but the figure jumps to 70% when age is narrowed down, Mr Brokenshire told MPs.


He accused the government of behaving "fast and loose" with the  facts to justify their case for the retention of DNA profiles, arguing that ministers were seeking to make the issue a political dividing line as MPs considered government proposals to retain DNA profiles for six years.


The Tories want the bill, which applies mainly to England and Wales, to follow the Scottish model of DNA retention which allows for samples of those convicted of an offence to be kept for three years.


In addition they would allow for the retention of samples from those who were arrested for a sexual or violent offence.


For the Liberal Democrats, Chris Huhne said only the DNA of people convicted of a criminal offence should be on the database.


But Policing Minister David Hanson said the Tories and the Liberal Democrats were on the "wrong side of the argument".


He said the government had "the evidence and support to meet our legal obligations" and insisted the six-year retention period "will lead to the prevention of crime".


A Tory amendment to retain DNA samples for three years when people are arrested for a sexual or violent offence was defeated by 264 votes to 185, a majority of 79.


BBC

 

 

 

 

 

 

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