Concerns over underuse of terrorism prevention measures

Terror law watchdog David Anderson QC has expressed concerns that terrorism prevention and investigation measures (TPIMs) are not being used to their full strength.

This came after Theresa May’s latest ministerial statement on TPIMs revealed that there are no longer any terror subjects subject to these measures, with the last TPIM lapsing in February.

Ten individuals had been subject to TPIMs since they were introduced in early 2012, with seven orders expiring, two individuals absconding and one in prison. Anderson said that the blame partly rests with the ending of a power to relocate suspects away from their home area.

Anderson says in his annual report that, notwithstanding these concerns, the current system should be kept: “There is no need to put the clock back. The majority of changes introduced by the TPIMs Act have civilised the control order system without making it less effective.

The two-year limit is a reminder that executive constraints of this kind are no substitute for the criminal process, and no long‑term solution.”