Police stop and search people near Excel (where DSEi is to be held)
grrr | 02.09.2003 00:01 | DSEi 2003 | London
Cops have stopped and searched people under the Terrorism Act 2000 near to Excel where DSEi istaking place.
Info for anyone planning to go to the area around Excel or having anything to do with DSEi protests:
Today (Monday) 3 people were detained and stopped and searched under Section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000. This took place near Excel, London Docklands, where the DSEi arms fair is to be held next week. According to the cops (from the Forward Intelligence Team) they are able to do this in the whole Met Police District (ie the whole of London except the city) for the next month.
So if you are around in that area or going anywhere else where you might come across cops who think you look like a protestor (or anywhere that FIT team cops might be) don't carry anything dodgy and think about if you want to have ID on you (cos you don't have to give any details when stopped and searched).
The Terrorism Act 2000 can be found here:
http://www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/20000011.htm#aofs
Today (Monday) 3 people were detained and stopped and searched under Section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000. This took place near Excel, London Docklands, where the DSEi arms fair is to be held next week. According to the cops (from the Forward Intelligence Team) they are able to do this in the whole Met Police District (ie the whole of London except the city) for the next month.
So if you are around in that area or going anywhere else where you might come across cops who think you look like a protestor (or anywhere that FIT team cops might be) don't carry anything dodgy and think about if you want to have ID on you (cos you don't have to give any details when stopped and searched).
The Terrorism Act 2000 can be found here:
http://www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/20000011.htm#aofs
grrr
Comments
Hide the following 7 comments
sort of not surprising but more research needed
02.09.2003 00:16
my mate got stopped while in a car in city of london a couple of days ago under said same legislation, a few questions and that was that.
what care needs to be taken over is understanding if this is will be used primarily against protestors - as was the case with this section 44 during the anti war protests - Liberty released a report over this issue:
watch them
Simpler friendly documents?
02.09.2003 00:17
It better be simple to understand too otherwise it will be useless.
Fuck DSEi!
ram
info on section 44
02.09.2003 13:07
Section 44 stop and search powers
As of March 8th 2003 for 28 days Fairford (and the whole of Gloucestershire and Wiltshire) is subject to stop and search powers under Section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000. This is the first time these powers have ever been used. We are trying to keep a civil liberties watch - if you experience unusual policing in relation to section 44 please report it to us. For better understanding on the act and why protest groups should be worried about it read James Hammerton's commentary on the Terrorism Act 2000 (48k word doc)
This allows vehicles and pedestrians to be stopped and searched for no reason. You may be asked to remove outer clothing (coat, hat even shoes) but no more than that. Bags will be searched and pocket emptied. Male officers may search women although they should not touch you. You should receive a ticket after you've been searched. There is no legal requirement to provide your name and address.
Many people in the vicinity of USAF Fairford, mostly protesters but also journalists, locals and plane spotters have been searched. There are also some reports of section 44 searches near GCHQ in Cheltenham (as yet unconfirmed).
Having the power of stop and search section 45 says:-
Exercise of power. 45. - (1) The power conferred by an authorisation under section 44(1) or (2)-
(a) may be exercised only for the purpose of searching for articles of a kind which could be used in connection with terrorism, and
(b) may be exercised whether or not the constable has grounds for suspecting the presence of articles of that kind.
However if articles are found that could be linked with criminal acts it appears other powers can then be used. For example I had a marker pen confiscated because it could used to cause criminal damage and I would be going equipped if they allowed me to retain it. Yesterday (Sat 15th) there were less searches and it seemed these were only in the vicinity of possible illegal activities... for example kite flying where the kite crossed, or could have crossed the line of the fence.
watcher
make love now
02.09.2003 14:28
instead of all this stress
no but seriously what about a mass love in in the streets
that would scupper thier terrorist bullshit....
bollockschops
make love now
02.09.2003 14:29
instead of all this stress
no but seriously what about a mass love in in the streets
that would scupper thier terrorist bullshit....
sorry I've got nonthing more constructive to say lol!
bollockschops
section 44
03.09.2003 17:25
Matt
hypocrisy?
04.09.2003 09:44
One cannot help however laughing at the complete farce here... peace campaigners being stopped and harassed under anti-terrorism laws, while in a few days officials from states accused of terorism and mass human rights groups will meet to sell each other weapons...
It's a shame that DSEi is now saying axis of evil country syria has DECLINED their invitation, after all, if they had attended, would the police not have been duty bound to stop and search them under the same legislation?
what's going on?