Plans to build a DNA database of prostitute clients in Bradford have received a mixed response from MPs.

Chief superintendent Alison Rose said she wanted to see DNA taken from men charged with offences such as kerb crawling and kept if they are convicted.

Chief Supt Rose, commander of Bradford South Police, said the database could close a “gap in the law” and might make men think again about sex with a prostitute and committing crimes against women.

She was speaking as the fall-out continued from the Stephen Griffiths prostitute murders and the failed attempt by Peter Sutcliffe, the Yorkshire Ripper, to overturn the ruling he must spend his life behind bars.

Kris Hopkins, MP for Keighley, said: “While the act of prostitution is not in itself illegal in this country, several laws do criminalise activities around it.

“As such, while the intent behind this idea is certainly worthy, I’m not sure it is a particularly practical suggestion.”

But Philip Davies, MP for Shipley, said: “I am a believer in a national DNA database and so I have no problem at all with the police taking people’s DNA.

“Clearly the bigger the DNA database the more chance the police have of bringing serious offenders to justice as we have seen with hundreds of other cases around the country.”

Bradford South MP, Gerry Sutcliffe, said: “We have a situation where people get letters and warnings and all of that – perhaps they need to have stronger powers to get at the men.

“We have to strike the right balance but what concerns me is for many years now we have tried to come up with solutions and haven’t and the problem still exists and we still see vulnerable women being prey for men like Stephen Griffiths and people like Peter Sutcliffe.”

It is believed Ch Supt Rose’s suggestion could get the backing from Chief Constable, Sir Norman Bettison.

And as well as a DNA database, Ch Supt Rose wants Bradford magistrates to be able to do more too.

“What I’d like to see is magistrates in Bradford having the ability to seize assets, seize vehicles, seize whatever they can do, name and shame, and then reinvest that money that money back into the community,” she said.