BBC NEWS | UK | Stop and quiz powers considered

BBC NEWS | UK | Stop and quiz powers considered

Stop and quiz powers considered
The government is considering giving police officers across the UK "stop and question" powers under new anti-terror laws, says the Home Office.

The proposal, allowing police to ask people about their identity and movement, is among measures being considered by Home Secretary John Reid.

The measure is so far used only in Northern Ireland.

Police elsewhere have to have "reasonable suspicion" a crime has been committed before they can stop people.

Anyone who refuses to co-operate could be charged with obstructing the police and fined up to £5,000, according to the Sunday Times.

A Home Office spokeswoman said: "We are considering a range of measures for the Bill and 'stop and question' is one of them."

Political correspondent Norman Smith said the proposals were likely to be "hugely controversial".

'National security'

When it emerged on Thursday that three men suspected of wanting to kill UK troops had disappeared, Mr Reid criticised his political opponents and judges for stopping the use of tougher measures against terror suspects.

He promised new anti-terror measures within weeks which he said he hoped there would be "less party politics" and more about the concern "for national security".

Stopping and questioning anyone you like will backfire because people will be being criminalised
Shami Chakrabarti Director of Liberty

The Home Office would not comment on suggestions the new laws were to be rushed through before Tony Blair steps down as prime minister on 27 June.

Greater powers to remove vehicles and paperwork for inspection are also believed to be part of the measures.

Writing separately in the Daily Telegraph, Mr Blair said the disappearance of the three suspects under control orders was a symptom of a society which put civil liberties before fighting terror.

The prime minister described this as "misguided and wrong" and said prioritising a terror suspect's right to traditional civil liberties was "a dangerous misjudgement".

'Political machismo'

The Sunday Times claims police minister Tony McNulty told Mr Blair the new "stop and question" measures would be "very useful UK wide".

It quoted a letter sent to the prime minister which said the measures would be "a less intrusive power" than stop and search, which are widely seen as unpopular with the public.

However, campaign group Liberty criticised the proposals saying the police should not have powers to question people "willy-nilly".

Director Shami Chakrabarti said: "This looks like political machismo, a legacy moment.

"Stopping and questioning anyone you like will backfire because people will be being criminalised."

Jane Winter, director of British-Irish Rights Watch, told the Sunday Times the government was using "a sledgehammer to crack a nut".

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/6695685.stm

Published: 2007/05/26 23:27:19 GMT

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