Aust, UK sign deal on DNA exchange

English villains who head Down Under to evade the plod shouldn't sleep too comfortably. Same goes for Aussie crooks in the Old Dart.

Under a new agreement, Australian DNA profiles can be searched by UK authorities while UK DNA can be searched by the Australia Federal Police.

Justice Minister Michael Keenan has signed a memorandum of understanding on DNA exchange with British Minister of State for Immigration and Security James Brokenshire.

That's part of a pilot program involving Australia, the UK, United States and Canada.

Mr Keenan said this interconnected world had created a "borderless criminal threat environment".

He said the DNA agreement supported Australia's commitment to international law enforcement co-operation, which was paramount to global safety and security.

"By working together, we will maximise our effectiveness and ensure we can make global headway in the fight against transnational crime," he said in a statement.