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Police could get new stop and search powers to tackle terrorism

The government has published a new paper setting out plans to give police officers extra stop and search powers to tackle the threat of terrorism.

The draft revised code of practice covers the exercise of stop and search powers by police officers under the Terrorism Act 2000.

The update comes in response to recommendations made by the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation, Jonathan Hall QC, following his independent review of the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) used to supervise terrorist and terrorism-risk offenders on licence. The review was commissioned following the attack at Fishmonger's Hall in November 2019 and recommended a new power of personal search should be created.

The Home Office has said that as the existing version of the code is from 2012, the government has made other minor amendments to ensure it reflects current practice, legislation terminology and organisational responsibilities.

The draft will be debated by both Houses of Parliament before coming into force.

Image: Pixabay

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