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| Technology to copy phone data will be available across London. Picture: The Telegraph |
Privacy campaigners have raised concerns for human rights and especially children’s rights after it emerged police in London are to be equipped with technology to take information from mobile phones.
Equipment to remove information will be installed at police stations across London’s 16 boroughs.
Rights group Privacy International said police will be able to copy data from the phones of children as well as adults, and may store the information even if no criminal charges are pursued.
Emma Draper, head of communications at Privacy International, said: “If someone is arrested and the police suspect the phone has been involved in some kind of criminal activity they will be able to take a copy of all the data at the police station.
“A young person may have their entire life on their phone, and the police could keep that information even if they are innocent.
“We’re also concerned they may use this technology for stop and search purposes in the future as handheld technology is readily available.”
Draper said police are already able to remove information from phones, but the process currently involves sending a device away to be read, something that can take weeks and “involves a degree of oversight”.
Campaigners are threatening a challenge as officers could hold on to data from innocent people and especially from children and ethnic minorities.
The Met deputy assistant commissioner Stephen Kavanagh said: ‘Mobiles are increasingly being used in all levels of criminal activity.’
“When a suspect is arrested and found with a mobile phone that we suspect may have been used in crime, traditionally we submit it to our digital forensic laboratory for analysis.
“Therefore, a solution located within the boroughs that enables trained officers to examine devices and gives immediate access to the data in that handset is welcomed.
“Our ability to act on forensically-sound, time-critical information, from SMS to images contained on a device quickly gives us an advantage in combating crime, notably in terms of identifying people of interest quickly and progressing cases more efficiently.”
The terminals are being introduced to 16 London boroughs, with plans for all Britain if successful.
Scotland Yard said leasing the 16 terminals for a year would cost £50,000. About 300 Metropolitan Police officers are being trained in using the Aceso computer terminals.
Keeping DNA profiles indefinitely when suspects were later acquitted or freed without charge was deemed unlawful by the European Court of Human Rights and will be reversed under the Protection of Freedoms Act passed this month.
What you can do to keep out of trouble
The police have a right to swipe the phone of a suspected person and anyone can be a called a 'suspect' if a police officer deems it fit.
To protect yourself and your children, educate them on staying safe, not getting involved in attention seeking behaviour, not getting involved in fighting or be a witness to a fight or argument on the streets, in a park or any public place. They should always pay for train and bus rides, not stay out late at night, be careful about the type of parties they attend, pick friends carefully and generally be a good citizen.
If you are an adult and you drive a car or ride a bike, make sure you drive with up to date vehicle documents, place your tax disc clearly on your windscreen, check your vehicle tyres regularly - the grooves have to be a particular depth. Make sure your car is in the right condition. Do not over speed or jump traffic lights. Use seat belts. Do not use your phone or read whilst driving. Never ride your bike on the pavement. Wear the right hemet correctly. Do not get involved in any kind of street brawl or argument. Buy a correct train or bus ticket for your whole journey, pay for goods before you leave a shop, in short try not to break any law that could get the police suspecting you of something. Hope this helps.
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