More than one million children have been added to the DNA database since its creation, research by the Liberal Democrats revealed today.

"These shocking figures clearly show that the government has preyed on children in making the world's biggest DNA database by stealth," Chris Huhne, Lib Dem home affairs spokesman said.

"We already know that guilt and innocence are of no concern to ministers, but clearly neither is the negative effect that being on the database has on children."

The research reveals that 1,066,896 profiles for under-18s have been added to the database. Of those, 113,053 are under-13 and 510,236 are between 13 and 15.

"It is unacceptable to keep the DNA of children on record in perpetuity for the most minor of offences," said Mr Huhne.