Lib Dems call for an urgent review of stop and search

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 23rd Mar 2007

Dr Evan Harris has joined Ming Campbell's call for a an urgent review of stop and search powers after figures emerged showing that the Thames Valley is among the ten police force areas in the UK with the highest number of stop and searches - a total of 5463 between 2001 and 2006.

Police can stop and search for terrorism material in designated areas and subject to Home Office confirmation under Section 44 of the Terrorism Act. Dr Harris, who is a member of the influential Joint Select Committee on Human Rights, said:

"The use of section 44 to stop and search individuals is counter-productive. It alienates the communities we need to have on side and so we get less intelligence."

"Section 44 powers are intended to be exceptional powers against anti-terrorism, to be used occasionally and only when circumstances demand it, but a recent Home Office report points out that they are being overused.

"Section 44 was used to eject 82 year old Walter Wolfgang from the Labour party conference; this is not sensitive and effective use of these powers."

Under the Terrorism Act 2000

• Over 166,894 people have been stopped and searched

• Only 40 people to date have been convicted

• For every person convicted 4170 have been stopped and searched

• For every person arrested 148 have been stopped and searched

Menzies Campbell said:

"It is intelligence-led policing, not indiscriminate stop and search that will bring success in the fight against terrorism.

"The police and security services must be unrelenting in their determination to track down those who plot terror attacks.

"Indiscriminate stop and search is alienating minority groups who often feel unjustly targeted.

"Anti-terrorism powers are meant to be exceptional powers, used occasionally and only when circumstances demand it.

"The fact that so many people have been stopped, and so few arrested, suggests that the powers are being used as part of standard policing techniques.

"A recent Home Office report states that stop and search is being overused. We now need an urgent review of the powers to ensure that it is used more sensitively and effectively rather than as part of routine policing which enflames anger amongst community groups.

"Then the police can focus on the kind of counter-terrorism operations that actually work."