DNA of 100 under-10s on government database

Staff and agencies
Thursday June 14, 2007
Guardian Unlimited

The DNA fingerprints of more than 100 children aged under 10 are stored on a government database despite their being younger than the age of criminal responsibility, it emerged today.

In addition to the 108 under-10s, there are 883,888 records of people aged between 10 and 17 and 46 records of people aged over 90.

The Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman, Nick Clegg, obtained the figures via a parliamentary question.

The DNA database has repeatedly been the subject of criticism by children's campaigners. Last month, activists said DNA records were turning thousands of children into lifelong suspects.

Mr Clegg said the figures showed the government saw no limits to its "invasion of privacy".

"Worse still, by harvesting the data of many people who are not even charged with an offence, let alone convicted, the fundamental principle that we are innocent until proven guilty is further undermined," he added.

"Why should anyone be on this database if they are entirely innocent of any wrongdoing?"

The shadow home secretary, David Davis, demanded the government justified the collection of DNA from young children.

"This is the latest in a long line of sinister developments associated with this database," he said.

"It is bad enough that DNA samples from a large number of innocent adults are being added by stealth. Now we find that children who, by law, cannot be held criminally responsible for a crime are on this database."

Police can take a DNA sample without consent from anyone they arrest, and can keep the record whether that person is charged with a crime or not.

The genetic "fingerprint" is then added to the database and can be cross-referenced with criminal records held on the police national computer.

The Home Office has said the national DNA database is an "invaluable intelligence tool" which has revolutionised the way in which the police can protect the public.