In a surprise announcement the government have revealed plans to issue every police force in the UK with portable fingerprint readers.

The new device, which is no larger than an iPod, will be in widespread use across the country within 18 months. It will allow police to cross reference the identity of any man, woman or child they speak to on the street with their Ident database.

The step has enraged civil rights groups including Liberty. Gareth Crossman said on their behalf: "Saving time with new technology could help police performance but officers must make absolutely certain that they take fingerprints only when they suspect an individual of an offense and can't establish identity."