Crime Act Extends DNA Profiling

The Crime and Security Bill has received Royal Assent, the Home Office has confirmed.

The Act will see a new DNA retention regime to hold the DNA profiles of convicted offenders indefinitely.

It will also keep the DNA profiles of those who are arrested but not convicted of a recordable offence for a fixed amount of time.

Police now have the powers to retrospectively take DNA samples from violent and sexual offenders returning to the UK following conviction overseas, and to collect DNA from such convicted offenders who are no longer in prison.

A new mandatory parenting needs assessment will be carried out when young people aged ten to 15 are being considered for an antisocial behaviour order (ASBO) and parenting orders where they have breached their ASBOs.

Police and local authorities will also be to apply to a county court for an injunction against young people over 14 to prevent gang related violence, for example prevent a gang member from meeting other named gang members or going into a particular 'territory'.

Domestic violence protection orders can now be enforced, requiring an alleged domestic violence perpetrator to leave the home for a fixed period of time.

As the new law reduced the amounts of information that police must collect when stopping and searching an individual and gives police the power to search individuals subject to control orders and to seize items of concern where appropriate.

A new offence of possession of an unauthorised mobile phone or other electronic communications device in prison has been introduced under the act.

It is also a new offence for failing to prevent minors from having access to air weapons.

(PR/GK)