New figures revealed by Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson, Lynne Featherstone MP, show that 24% of citizens who have a DNA profile on the national DNA database (NDNAD) are from ethnic minority communities. However, less than 8% of the UK population are from an ethnic minority background.

Commenting Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“These figures are deeply worrying.

“We need to find out why people from ethnic minorities make up nearly a quarter of the non-charged and non-cautioned DNA profiles on the database. We need to examine on what basis DNA samples are taken.

“With the growing concern about racial profiling, the over-representation of ethnic minorities on the Database is extremely worrying.”

Note:

The figures were revealed in a Parliamentary Question asked by Lynne Featherstone MP. The full text of the PQ is:

Lynne Featherstone (Hornsey and Wood Green): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of the 2nd March 2006, Official Report, Column 954W, on DNA profiles, if he will break down by a) police force area andb) ethnic origin those who have a DNA profile on the National DNA Database and whose ethnic origin is known?

For a full breakdown of figures by local authority, download this Excel spreadsheet.