Dorset Police take DNA samples from one child every day

New research by charity Howard League for Penal Reform has found that Dorset officers took swabs from 355 boys and girls aged 17 or under during 2011.

They included three primary school-age children - one 10-year-old and two 11-year-olds.

Many of the children required to give a sample will not have been charged with a criminal offence, the charity claims.

Across England and Wales, police took swabs from almost 54,000 boys and girls aged under 17 during 2011.

Under current rules, police can retain indefinitely the DNA of anyone they arrest for a recordable offence. A new law, imposing tighter restrictions on DNA retention, is expected to come into force later this year.

Dorset Police took the second lowest number of DNA samples from under 18s when compared with other forces.

Child arrests have fallen significantly in Dorset since 2007, as reported by the Echo in March. Detective superintendent Garrick Smith said a restorative justice scheme, where young offenders are made to ‘face up’ to their victims, has proved very successful.

He said: “As long ago as 2007, Dorset Police identified that worryingly high numbers of children and young people were being arrested and finding themselves in the criminal justice system.

“The force has since made huge strides in reducing the numbers of children coming into custody and consequently, the number of DNA samples taken from children has also fallen.”

He added: “Of course, for some young offenders it will remain entirely appropriate to arrest them. “In accordance with national guidelines, particularly in the most serious offences, it may also be necessary to take DNA samples.

“However, where we can address young people’s offending without bringing them into custody, we will do so.

“We continue to monitor and evaluate our approach to dealing with young offenders and we are hopeful that the number of children and young people finding themselves entering the criminal justice system will continue to fall.”