70 criminals added to DNA files every day

Almost 1,500 criminals across Greater Manchester were added to the national DNA database in the first three weeks of January, new figures have revealed.

According to information from the Home Office, between January 1 and 22 a staggering 1,451 profiles were uploaded — almost 70 every day.

A breakdown shows 113 were children aged 15 and under with a further 158 of 16 to 18 year olds.

Another 458 criminals aged 21 to 30 were added — accounting for 31 per cent of the new entries across the region.

Critics have long argued the database infringes on civil liberties with many not every convicted of an offence.

But police have argued it is a useful tool to bring criminals to justice. Based on population base, the UK database holds more DNA than any other country with 7.4 per cent of country’s population included on the database, compared with the FBI list which holds details of only 0.5 per cent of US citizens.

To be put on the UK database a person must be over the age of 10 and must have been arrested for a recordable offence — but records can be kept even if the person is released without charge.

Once on the database people stay on it indefinitely. Separate figures show 23,932 entries were made to the database in the Greater Manchester area last year.

A Home Office spokesman said the Government was clear that data should only be used where it was “necessary and proportionate”.

He said: “The Home Secretary has already set out new common sense standards for use of investigatory powers and retention of DNA profiles, and has announced a consultation to open a reasoned debate about all these issues.”

Earlier this month a House of Lords Select Committee said it also feared the database may infringe on civil liberties and could eventually be used for harmful purposes.

Nationally 30,492 profiles were uploaded in the three week period last month.

A further 489,429 were added last year.

Before 2001, police had to destroy the details of anyone who was not charged or was later acquitted but the law was changed to allow samples to be kept from anyone arrested for a recordable offence.