Britain under fire over DNA database plans

"These new proposals will ensure that the right people are on it, as well as considering where people should come off," she said.

"We will ensure that the most serious offenders are added to the database no matter when or where they were convicted," she added.

Judges in Strasbourg last year ruled that the blanket policy of retaining DNA from people arrested but not convicted risked prejudicing the innocent and was harmful to children.

In response, the Home Office immediately removed from the database the DNA of those under 10 years old and is proposing to remove DNA profiles of children convicted of less serious crimes once they turn 18.

DNA records of those arrested but not convicted will be deleted after six years, or 12 years if they have been arrested for a serious, violent or sexual offence.

Opposition parties and rights groups attacked the proposals, saying not enough is being done to ensure the records of innocent people are removed.

Conservative shadow Home Secretary Chris Grayling said: "The government just doesn't get this. People in Britain should be innocent until proven guilty."

Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne also criticised the measures.

"Today's announcement is nowhere near good enough. Jacqui Smith must not be allowed to get away with anything short of immediately removing all innocent people from the database, except those accused of a violent or sexual offence," he said.