The Clown of Pevensey Bay
Well-known member
From Sussex police
AS part of the security operation for the Labour Party conference (Operation Otter 2005) officers have been granted powers under S44 of the Terrorism Act 2000, which allows police to stop and search in a specified area. It is authorised at Assistant Chief Constable level, and is a wide ranging power which allows for officers to stop and potentially search people within that area - without the officer requiring grounds to suspect any offence taking place. Assistant Chief Constable Geoff Williams said: "The power is brought in as a deterrent to and a means of detecting anyone engaged in activities connected with terrorism. Officers have been briefed on the practical and ethical use of this power, and the local independent advisory groups and the Racial Harassment Forums have been consulted and informed about the application of 'Section 44 in Sussex. "Each stop, whether or not this results in a search, will be recorded and officers have been given explanatory leaflets to pass on to those members of the public who have been stopped under the power. "Sussex Police acknowledges the wide ranging extent of this power and we have taken steps to ensure that its use is monitored to ensure that it is proportionate. It is kept under constant review to ensure its use is necessary."
AS part of the security operation for the Labour Party conference (Operation Otter 2005) officers have been granted powers under S44 of the Terrorism Act 2000, which allows police to stop and search in a specified area. It is authorised at Assistant Chief Constable level, and is a wide ranging power which allows for officers to stop and potentially search people within that area - without the officer requiring grounds to suspect any offence taking place. Assistant Chief Constable Geoff Williams said: "The power is brought in as a deterrent to and a means of detecting anyone engaged in activities connected with terrorism. Officers have been briefed on the practical and ethical use of this power, and the local independent advisory groups and the Racial Harassment Forums have been consulted and informed about the application of 'Section 44 in Sussex. "Each stop, whether or not this results in a search, will be recorded and officers have been given explanatory leaflets to pass on to those members of the public who have been stopped under the power. "Sussex Police acknowledges the wide ranging extent of this power and we have taken steps to ensure that its use is monitored to ensure that it is proportionate. It is kept under constant review to ensure its use is necessary."
