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[18 May 2012] - Privacy campaigners have raised concerns for children’s rights after it emerged police in London are to be equipped with technology to take information from mobile phones. Information that can be copied from phones by police will include text messages, call histories, phone numbers and photographs. 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”. Stephen Kavanagh, deputy assistant commissioner at the Met Police, said: “Mobile phones and other devices 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.” Further Information: