Twelve people have been arrested by Brighton police after they were matched to DNA profiles.

More than 60 offenders have been identified by DNA evidence left at crime scenes.

Police are paying extra for "fast track" testing to match the DNA profiles with those taken from people arrested previously on other matters.

Operation Dante has now been launched to track down the offenders and the 12 arrests are what police have termed "the first of many".

The arrested are wanted in connection with 14 crimes, mainly house burglaries, and some have been charged and are awaiting court appearances.

The policy of taking DNA samples from virtually all suspects arrested in Brighton, launched three years ago, has been criticised by civil liberties groups.

Liberty said it was an invasion of privacy when a mouth-swab sample was taken in a case where DNA was irrelevant.

Police said the policy was proving a major success in tackling crime and identifying offenders.

Officers believe samples taken in connection with minor crimes could lead later to matches with serious offences.

Brighton police's biggest DNA success was the arrest of Rashid Kausmally, the 48-year-old Brighton man wanted for rape and 21 other offences, mainly knifepoint robberies on women. He killed himself in prison last month while awaiting trial.

Acting Detective Inspector Paul Fullwood, of the Brighton police Crime and Drug Unit, said the operation would continue for another four or five weeks.

Mr Fullwood said: "It is taking out of circulation some of our prolific criminals who are responsible for numerous crimes."