No need for retention (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

No need for retention

12:10pm Friday 20th February 2009 in Readers' letters By Telegraph & Argus

SIR – It was good to see New Labour stumble again on their rush towards creating their database state.

Two British men have won a European Court ruling which says that they should not have their DNA retained by police.

Both men had been arrested but later released without charge and believed, rightfully, I think, that their DNA should not be retained.

The European courts judges stated the retention of DNA “could not be regarded as necessary in a democratic society” adding that they were “struck by the blanket and indiscriminate nature of the power of retention in England and Wales”. Aren’t we all?

Currently, DNA of about 4.5 million people is held and one in five of them do not have a current criminal record, but this could well change with this ruling.

The Government claimed the existing law would stay in place while they carefully consider the judgment. It is very simple – no charge, no DNA!

Jason Smith, Bradford NO2ID co-ordinator, Bradford Resource Centre, 17-21 Chapel Street, Bradford