Some alarming news has emerged from Bolton where Police are being issued with mobile fingerprint readers.

The mobile units scan a suspect’s fingerprint and transmit the data to the National Fingerprint Database - Ident1. Within minutes, the officer can see if the person is wanted for a crime. Of course, such technology only works if the suspect’s details are already on the Ident1 database. We are assured that no new fingerprint data will be stored.

The use of these readers is described as “voluntary” in the article. Read the following excerpt and make your own mind up:

Anyone stopped will have to voluntarily agree for the device to be used. However, refusing to provide prints may result in the officer having to arrest and detain someone until their identity has been established.