TACT 2000
Terrorism Act 2000
Defines terrorism and creates the principal terrorism offences and police powers, including stop and search, arrest without warrant, and port/border examinations.
Self-test
Sections
Section 41 — Arrest without warrant (terrorism)
A constable may arrest without warrant a person whom they reasonably suspect to be a terrorist (i.e., concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism).
- Detention up to 14 days (with judicial authority) — far longer than PACE 24-hour clock.
- No specific offence required — suspicion of being 'a terrorist' suffices.
Section 43 — Search of persons (terrorism)
Constable may stop and search a person whom they reasonably suspect to be a terrorist, to discover whether they have anything which may constitute evidence that they are a terrorist.
- Reasonable suspicion required.
- Can search vehicles under s.43A (uniformed officer).
Schedule 7 — Port and border controls
Examining officer (constable, immigration officer, customs officer) may stop, question, search and detain (up to 6 hours) any person at a port/border to determine whether they appear to be concerned in terrorism.
- NO suspicion required — but cannot be exercised arbitrarily.
- Person must answer questions and provide documents — no right to silence.
- BTP officers regularly use Sch 7 at international rail terminals.