Blunkett wants European DNA database

Home Secretary David Blunkett will today call for the creation of an EU-wide DNA database of criminals and terror suspects to aid the government's war on terror.

Blunkett is meeting representatives from the 'G5' nations of France, Germany, Italy and Spain in his Sheffield constituency for a two-day informal summit aimed at increasing cross-border cooperation.

Newspaper reports claim Blunkett will table the pooling of DNA and fingerprint records across Europe as another vital anti-terrorism weapon. Blunkett will tell his counterparts that allowing other countries access to biometric records could help prevent incidents such as the Madrid train bombings.

Ahead of the meeting, Blunkett told the Press Association: "Cooperation between European member states is a powerful tool in the fight against terrorism and organised crime."

Blunkett is still aiming to push the introduction of a UK-wide biometric ID card for all citizens through Parliament, with the cost of such a project expected to top £3bn. The cards are expected to be introduced by 2007 and a pilot project is currently underway with 10,000 volunteers.