Girl, 11, fingerprinted by police

Police in Londonderry fingerprinted an 11-year-old girl

The parents of an 11-year-old girl have criticised police in Londonderry after their daughter was photographed and fingerprinted by officers.

Police turned up at the child's home in the Creggan area after she had allegedly been seen writing graffiti on the city walls.

The girl's mother, Eileen Millar, said officers were guilty of child abuse.

A police spokesperson said they have an obligation to investigate all reports of criminal damage.

They also said that when approached by officers, the three girls involved in this case claimed to be in their mid-teens.

However, Mrs Millar said her daughter had been left traumatised by the incident.

"My daughter is 11 years of age and has never spoken to a policeman in her life," she said.

"They took her into another room photographed her, fingerprinted her, put two swabs in her mouth and took DNA.

"I was also told this would be on record for the rest of her life."

The family have said they intend to register a complaint with the Police Ombudsman.