Police were in retreat last night after a public backlash over plans to take the DNA of people who drop litter or fail to wear a seatbelt.

Opposition was also hardening against a universal UK database which would create a "nation of suspects".

But there were growing calls to extend the current register of 4.5million samples in other ways.

Former Home Secretary David Blunkett said more people should be encouraged to volunteer their DNA, while the Tories said there should be a trawl for any serious criminals not already logged.

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Police have been promoting the merits of a national database after DNA evidence played a crucial role in convicting killers Steve Wright and Mark Dixie last week.

DNA taken years ago, when he was caught stealing from a pub, linked Wright to the five prostitutes murdered in Ipswich.

Dixie was trapped for the savage murder of teenage model Sally Anne Bowman when - nine months after the killing - he was arrested for a minor scuffle and his DNA was taken.

Detective Superintendent Stuart Cundy, who led the murder hunt, said: "It is my opinion that a national DNA register - with all its appropriate safeguards - could have identified Sally Anne's murderer within 24 hours."

Officers were also pressing the Home Office to allow DNA to be taken from people stopped for even the most minor offences.

But yesterday Tony Lake, head of forensics for the Association of Chief Police Officers and Chief Constable of Lincolnshire, said an expansion of sampling could undermine the public's support.

He added: "If we started dragging people off to police stations to take their DNA every time they dropped a bit of litter, that support would evaporate very quickly."

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