Innocents’ DNA kept on Cheshire Police database

Jan 14 2010 Chester Chronicle

CHESHIRE police has removed some innocent people from the DNA database.

Figures revealed under the Freedom of Information Act show the Cheshire Constabulary agreed to two requests out of 15 by individuals wishing to have their profiles deleted – a removal rate of 13.3%.

The statistics for 2008/09 were made public after the Conservatives asked for the information from all 43 forces in England and Wales.

The Tories say innocent people trying to get their DNA records removed face a postcode lottery. The average removal rate is only 22%, with six forces not removing any.

Chief Constable Chris Sims, from the Association of Chief Police Officers, said the police would work with the government to develop clearer guidance over DNA retention.

Last year the European Court of Human Rights ruled that the DNA records of people who had not been charged or convicted cannot be held indefinitely.

In November the government announced new measures to address the court's judgement, which the Home Office said balanced the public's concerns with the operational needs of the police.