Use of S43 of the Terrorism Act against members of the public photographing police stations

The request was refused by Metropolitan Police Service (MPS).

Dear Metropolitan Police Service (MPS),

For each of the last three months - i.e. August, September and October 2020:

1. On how many occasions were photographers taking pictures outside police stations stopped and searched under powers provided under S43 of the Terrorism Act?

2. Of those searched under S43, how many were subsequently:

a. arrested for terrorism offences?

b. arrested for non-terrorism offences?

3. The related Code of Practice states the following with regard to stop and search using S43 powers:

“Searches are more likely to be effective, legitimate, and secure public confidence when reasonable suspicion is based on a range of factors. The overall use of these powers is more likely to be effective when up to date and accurate intelligence or information is communicated to officers and they are well-informed about the nature of the terrorist threat, potential targets and ways in which terrorists are known to operate.”

For each of the stop and searches identified in answer to 1. above, on how many occasions was the required reasonable suspicion based upon “a range of factors” as outlined as best practice in the Code of Practice extract quoted, i.e. not solely on there being a photographer using a camera in close proximity to a police station?

Yours faithfully,

John Smith

Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)

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Good Morning,
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show quoted sections

Cyclops on behalf of Charmine Gayle-Petrou, Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)

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      Official

 

 

[1]www.met.police.uk

 

Your ref: 
Our ref: 01/FOI/20/016709

 

04/12/2020

 

 

 
 

 

Dear Mr Smith

 

Freedom of Information Request Reference No: 01/FOI/20/016709

 

Please see the attached in respect of your Freedom of Information request
referenced above.

Apologies for the delay in responding.

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

C. Gayle-Petrou

Information Manager

 

 

      Official

References

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