Gordon Brown MP, Prime Minister and Leader of the Labour Party, and Alan Johnson MP, Labour's Home Secretary, will today make a campaign visit to highlight the vital role that DNA plays in tackling violent crime and why Labour has been fighting Tory plans to downgrade the DNA database.

At the visit in Stevenage the Prime Minister and Home Secretary will be joined by Linda Bowman, whose daughter Sally Anne was murdered in 2005.

Sally Anne’s murderer Mark Dixie was convicted through use of the DNA register, having been arrested but not convicted in a pub brawl.

Gordon Brown said:

"Linda Bowman is a remarkable and brave woman who has suffered the most unspeakable tragedy yet still manages to be a compassionate campaigner for good.

"As Mrs Bowman says, the use of DNA helps the police put the most dangerous criminals behind bars but can also exonerate the innocent.”

Alan Johnson said:

“When it comes to crime, David Cameron has shown time and time again that he's more concerned with headlines than policies. The Tories might try and talk tough on crime but their actions are weak.

“Their plans for DNA would make it much harder for the police to catch criminals -putting the public at greater risk.”