On the whole I am a fairly law abiding person.

A couple of parking tickets issued by over zealous traffic wardens, a speeding fine from an overzealous speed camera and that's about it.

Oh well there was that incident with the sheep but that was a long, long time ago and I still maintain that Baarbie fully consented. And I didn't inhale.

Perhaps it is because I am law abiding that I cannot see any problem at all with having my personal details stored on Police computers. I have no issue with having my biometric data encrypted on my passport and I do not mind one little bit the idea of having to carry an identity card. I also have no grumbles about my movements being recorded on CCTV cameras.

If my DNA details or fingerprints were to be stored on a computer system it would mean that I could be immediately eliminated as a crime suspect. If my personal history was linked to my passport, showing that I am one of the good guys, perhaps I would not have to endure such stringent security checks at airports.

If I had an identity card in my wallet perhaps it would stop assistants in Tescos querying whether I am really old enough to buy alcohol, cigarettes and razor blades.

I just cannot see why any law-abiding person can object to the proposals.

They might say that such things are an infringement of personal liberty but my answer to that is it is a small price to pay if it helps the police to catch more offenders. It could even prevent some crimes happening in the first place if a would-be criminal knew that the systems were in place to prove, scientifically, that he committed the crime.