Stop and Search

Section 44 of the Terrorism Act (2000) allows police officers to stop and search anyone for ‘articles of a kind which could be used in connection with terrorism’, whereas previously they needed to have ‘reasonable grounds’ for doing so. This was introduced as an anti-terrorism measure but has been applied in other contexts, such as with protesters at anti-war, anti-capitalist and anti-nuclear demonstrations. In 2007-8 a total of 117,278 people in England and Wales were stopped and searched under this legislation, the vast majority of these searches occurring in London. Fewer than 0.1% led to arrest for terrorism offences (let alone charges or convictions). As well as being overused, the Act has also caused social tensions, with black and Asian people four times more likely to be stopped and searched than white people. If you are subject to a random stop-and-search, remember that you are under no obligation to divulge any personal details to the police.

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