Counter-terrorism Bill proposes wider use of DNA database

New powers to enable the automatic sharing of data held by police and intelligence agencies are to be included in the Counter-Terrorism Bill unveiled in yesterday's Queen's Speech setting out the Parliamentary programme for the coming year.

The proposed measures are intended to "help the investigation of terrorism" include "making full use" of the DNA database which has been rapidly built up by the police in England and Wales.

It contains biometric details of more than four million individuals, including children, arrested by the police regardless of whether they are convicted of a crime.

The Home Office said the intention of the new powers are "to ensure that full use can be made of DNA in terrorism investigations". Ministers are also considering putting the Counter Terror DNA database on a statutory footing.