Police to fingerprint on streets

Police across England and Wales are to begin taking fingerprints while on patrol using mobile electronic devices.

The portable gadgets - similar to a pocket PC and linked to a database of 6.5m prints - will enable officers to identify suspects within minutes.

Police say they will particularly help identify people using false identities. Bedfordshire will be the first of 10 forces to pilot the machines.

But concerns have been raised about civil liberties. (I should hope so!!)

BBC: