In response to the Human Genetics Commission about police routinely arresting people simply to record their DNA profiles on the national database, Deryck Browne, Senior Policy Development Officer at Nacro says:

The grossly disproportionate number of young black men on the DNA database exposes the inequality that exists in the criminal justice system. They are more likely to be stopped and searched and have a higher chance of being arrested and having their data saved.

Baselessly arresting young black men will not help in making society safer and is in danger of alienating BME communities. People who have had a negative experience of police will be less likely to come forward to assist in the future. This could undermine some of the productive work undertaken by community groups with the police in the fight against knife and gun crime.

An intelligence led approach to policing and independent governance of the DNA database is needed to ensure that BME groups do not get unfairly criminalised.