This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/wales_politics/7762592.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| One in five DNA profiles under 18 | One in five DNA profiles under 18 |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| More than one in five profiles from Wales held on the National DNA database are from 10 to 17-year-olds, according to figures. | More than one in five profiles from Wales held on the National DNA database are from 10 to 17-year-olds, according to figures. |
| There are more than 64,000 samples from young people in Wales on the system, but some will have been tested twice. | There are more than 64,000 samples from young people in Wales on the system, but some will have been tested twice. |
| Plaid Cymru AM Bethan Jenkins, who gathered the statistics, said she was "shocked" by this "violation of children's civil liberties". | |
| Police said the figures reflected the proportion of 10-17-year olds arrested. | Police said the figures reflected the proportion of 10-17-year olds arrested. |
| Ms Jenkins said she was "very concerned at why so many samples are being taken from young people". | Ms Jenkins said she was "very concerned at why so many samples are being taken from young people". |
| we are satisfied that our practice is in line with legislation and supports the DNA database, which has been very successful in tackling crime Gwent Police | we are satisfied that our practice is in line with legislation and supports the DNA database, which has been very successful in tackling crime Gwent Police |
| "I have written to all four chief constables in Wales to ask for an explanation as to how and why such a high proportion of DNA samples belong to children," she said. | "I have written to all four chief constables in Wales to ask for an explanation as to how and why such a high proportion of DNA samples belong to children," she said. |
| "I will also be asking for further information pertaining to the number of DNA samples held by police that belong to children under ten to try and establish the true extent of this violation of children's civil liberties. | "I will also be asking for further information pertaining to the number of DNA samples held by police that belong to children under ten to try and establish the true extent of this violation of children's civil liberties. |
| "We should all be highly alarmed that DNA samples obtained by the police can be held indefinitely, even if a defendant is found not guilty, and even if the sample was provided voluntarily. | "We should all be highly alarmed that DNA samples obtained by the police can be held indefinitely, even if a defendant is found not guilty, and even if the sample was provided voluntarily. |
| Ms Jenkins called on people to lobby the UK government to end the practice. | Ms Jenkins called on people to lobby the UK government to end the practice. |
| But Welsh police forces said they were simply following the law on when DNA could be obtained and kept. | But Welsh police forces said they were simply following the law on when DNA could be obtained and kept. |
| In a statement, Dyfed Powys Police said: "Dyfed Powys Police adhere to government legislation in relation to the powers we have to take DNA samples from every person arrested for a recordable offence. | In a statement, Dyfed Powys Police said: "Dyfed Powys Police adhere to government legislation in relation to the powers we have to take DNA samples from every person arrested for a recordable offence. |
| "The Criminal Justice Act 2001 gives police the power to retain all samples legally taken. | "The Criminal Justice Act 2001 gives police the power to retain all samples legally taken. |
| "Samples for the 10-17 age group reflect the number of people arrested in that age group". | "Samples for the 10-17 age group reflect the number of people arrested in that age group". |
| Similar statements were issued by the other three Welsh forces. | Similar statements were issued by the other three Welsh forces. |
| 'Very successful' | 'Very successful' |
| Gwent Police had the highest proportion of samples from young people on the database - 24.09%. | Gwent Police had the highest proportion of samples from young people on the database - 24.09%. |
| It was followed by North Wales Police, with 22.25%, South Wales Police, 21.42% and Dyfed Powys with 21.06%. | It was followed by North Wales Police, with 22.25%, South Wales Police, 21.42% and Dyfed Powys with 21.06%. |
| The Gwent force said: "Whilst Gwent is shown as having a slightly higher percentage than other Welsh forces in relation to this data, the difference is not significant. | The Gwent force said: "Whilst Gwent is shown as having a slightly higher percentage than other Welsh forces in relation to this data, the difference is not significant. |
| "We are satisfied that our practice is in line with legislation and supports the DNA database, which has been very successful in tackling crime." | "We are satisfied that our practice is in line with legislation and supports the DNA database, which has been very successful in tackling crime." |