Bob
3rd August 2007, 00:51
British Police are asking for powers to take DNA samples from suspects for offences such as speeding.
Support for an extension of police powers was disclosed in responses to a Home Office consultation paper. “A number of respondents welcomed the ability to reduce the threshold, including to the extent of allowing for the taking of fingerprints, DNA and footwear impressions for non-recordable offences for the purpose of offender identification and searching databases.”
A Home Office spokesman said “The DNA database has revolutionised the way the police can protect the public through identifying offenders and securing more convictions. No decisions have yet been made and any detailed proposals will be subject to a further public consultation next year.”
The Association of Chief Police Officers has warned that allowing police to take samples for non-recordable offences — crimes for which offenders cannot be imprisoned — might be perceived as “the increasing criminalisation of the generally law-abiding public”.
Shadow Home Secretary, David Davis, added “It is inconceivable that the powers of the police could be extended without a serious and substantive debate in Parliament. They have already encroached on people’s privacy without proper debate on this matter and this can go no further.”
Support for an extension of police powers was disclosed in responses to a Home Office consultation paper. “A number of respondents welcomed the ability to reduce the threshold, including to the extent of allowing for the taking of fingerprints, DNA and footwear impressions for non-recordable offences for the purpose of offender identification and searching databases.”
A Home Office spokesman said “The DNA database has revolutionised the way the police can protect the public through identifying offenders and securing more convictions. No decisions have yet been made and any detailed proposals will be subject to a further public consultation next year.”
The Association of Chief Police Officers has warned that allowing police to take samples for non-recordable offences — crimes for which offenders cannot be imprisoned — might be perceived as “the increasing criminalisation of the generally law-abiding public”.
Shadow Home Secretary, David Davis, added “It is inconceivable that the powers of the police could be extended without a serious and substantive debate in Parliament. They have already encroached on people’s privacy without proper debate on this matter and this can go no further.”