OVER 1,500 CHILDREN IN NORTH WALES ON GOVERNMENT DNA DATABASE - BURNHAM COMMENTS

12.00.00am GMT Mon 5th Nov 2007

Eleanor Burnham, Welsh Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Children and Young People, commented on the newly released figures from the Government showing that the 4 Welsh Police Forces have added over 260,000 DNA profiles to the Government's National DNA database since it was launched in 1995, including the profiles of 7,155 under 16 year olds. A fifth of these children are based in North Wales.

The figures, which were obtained through a series of Parliamentary Questions asked by Liberal Democrat MP Jenny Willott, also reveal the number of profiles added by each Welsh Police Force per year. The numbers in North Wales alone have risen tenfold since 1995 from just 620 DNA profiles a year to over 6,000 in 2006.

Ms Burnham said:

"This is a serious breach of public trust by the North Welsh Police force. It is one thing to keep the DNA of convicted criminals on file, a whole other to keep the DNA records of innocent people.

"The dramatic increase in those DNA profiles gathered in Wales, particularly those of children, since the start of DNA profiling is cause for alarm. These records are open to the abuse of outsiders and the Home Office has already allowed a number of genetic studies using DNA samples without the knowledge of the individuals involved. Furthermore, companies involved in this kind of research are allowed to keep copies of those that they use.

"It is unjustifiable for the police to hold the DNA profiles of innocent people and the Government must act now to destroy these records. There must also be new measures introduced to prevent research using the DNA database until consent is obtained from all those involved."

ENDS/DIWEDD

Contact/Cyswllt: Myrddin Edwards 02920 898345

Release/Rhyddhau: Monday 5th November 2007

Embargo: None