Welsh Police Take DNA Samples from more than 5,500 Children

A one-year-old baby is among thousands of children who have had their DNA taken by police officers in Wales.

A total of 5,561 kids were swabbed by Wales’ four forces as part of their investigations since 2010.

South Wales Police took the most – 2,866 samples since 2010 – but Dyfed Powys Police swabbed the youngest children. The mid and west Wales force was the only one to take from children under 10.

These included a one-year-old last year, a two-year-old in 2010, a seven-year-old in 2011, an eight-year-old in 2012 and a nine-year-old in 2011.

Nick Pickles is director of privacy and civil liberties campaign group Big Brother Watch.

He said: “I’m stunned that someone thought it was acceptable to take a DNA sample from a one-year-old baby. On what possible grounds is that reasonable or necessary?

“The UK DNA Database has grown to become the largest in the world and yet there is little evidence to suggest DNA profiling results in a higher sense of public safety.”

Andrew Neilson runs the Howard League for Penal Reform.

He said...