Terror law overkill? Police stop 180,000 people under draconian laws but only 255 arrested

Dear Mr. Kasim Ali,

Thank you for your request dated 8 June 2009 relating to the Daily Mail
article entitled `Terror Law Overkill - Police stop 180,000 people under
draconian laws but only 255 arrested' in which you ask for a copy of the
original FOI request and a copy of the information provided:

We were asked to provide information on the number of individuals stopped
& searched under Section 44 and were subsequently convicted.

We responded by stating that we did not hold the information requested,
but referred the Daily Mail to information which had been previously
released: -

Data on the number of arrests as a result of stops and searches under
section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000, from 2000/01 to 2006/07 (latest
available) are provided in the table below. The data includes whether the
arrest was for a terrorism offence but does not provide a breakdown of
those arrests that did not fall under the terrorism offence category. We
are therefore unable to confirm how many may have been arrested and
convicted for motor-related offences.

It is important to emphasise that the effectiveness of section 44 powers
can not be measured simply in terms of the number of arrests resulting
from stops and searches. Stop and search under section 44 is an important
tool in the on-going fight against terrorism. As part of a structured
counter terrorism strategy, the powers help to deter terrorist activity by
creating a hostile environment for would-be terrorists to operate in.

New national guidance for police on the use of the powers was published in
December 2008. The guidance deals comprehensively with community
consultation and assessment of the community impact of section 44 powers.
It also explains the background and purpose of section 44 powers, the
different circumstances in which they might be used and the approach to
take depending on the information and intelligence available.

One of the key aims of the guidance is to set out a framework for the use
of section 44 powers to ensure that they are used appropriately by
officers on the ground. The guidance clearly states that the powers should
only be used for searching for articles which could be used in connection
with terrorism and officers should have regard to the full range of other
stop and search powers which may be more appropriate.

I would like to assure you that the Home Office closely reviews section 44
powers and their operational use to ensure that they are appropriate and
effective. Countering the terrorist threat and ensuring good community
relations are independent and we are continuing to work with the Police to
ensure that the use of section 44 powers strikes the right balance.
Counter-terrorism powers are aimed at terrorists, whatever their
background. The use of those powers are reviewed regularly and
independently by Lord Carlile of Berriew QC.

Peter Zebedee | Information Management Service | Financial and Commercial
Group | Lower Ground Floor | Seacole Building | Home Office | 2 Marsham
Street | London SW1P 4DF

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