An anti-terrorism law used by police to stop and search suspected dissident republicans in Northern Ireland should not be seen as an easy alternative to more traditional methods, a Policing Board report said today.
With nearly 10,000 challenged last year- more than twice the previous year- the human rights annual review added the force should ensure the powers used were justified, necessary and proportionate.
Part of the Terrorism Act allows police to act without reasonable suspicion, but the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg this month ruled that illegal.
The board’s paper said: “The Section 44 authorisation should never be viewed as an easy alternative to the Police and Criminal Evidence (Pace) power; police officers should resist the temptation to resort to Section 44 because he or she need not have reasonable grounds for suspicion.”
There were 9,548 cases of stop and search or questioning in the financial year to March 2009. That compares to 3,234 the previous year.
During that period dissident republicans have intensified their efforts to kill police officers.
Just days ago Constable Peadar Heffron (33) had a leg amputated after a car bomb attack near Randalstown, Co Antrim. Last March two soldiers and a police officer were killed by dissidents.
Chairman of the board’s human rights committee Basil McCrea said the police had expressed a willingness to engage with the board.
“Whilst recognising the need for the police to have access to stop and search powers to assist their role, the public also need assurance that the police are fully accountable in their use of these powers,” he said.
PA