In response to today’s news that the police may designate every train and Underground station in the UK as a security zone under section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Green Party’s Home Affairs spokesperson and member of the MPA, Jenny Jones AM comments:
"The police have alienated young people, photographers, tourists and ethnic minorities with their unlawful use of stop and search in recent years. With the world watching, will they go for gold in the bad Olympics policing competition?
"If these powers haven’t been scrapped by 2012, the police have to use them carefully following intelligence. A six week mass clampdown would undermine years of work to improve community relations and safety.
"The Mayor agrees that we need to review the legislation, but under his watch the police are planning a massive expansion of these unlawful powers. He should show some leadership and press for a much more proportionate approach to stop and search at the Olympics."
Notes to editors
The Mayor’s answer to Jenny Jones’ question on the ECHR ruling is as follows:
Stop and search (2)
Question No: 14 / 2010, Jenny Jones
In light of the ruling by the European Court of Human Rights that the indiscriminate use of section 44 anti-terrorism stop and search powers are illegal, do you think the Government’s decision to appeal best serves the liberties and interests of Londoners?
Answer from the Mayor:
The Government needs to ensure that anti-terrorism powers are used proportionately and only for counter-terrorism related purposes.
The Met has already reviewed the use of Section 44 powers (see response to MQ15/2010). Rather than appealing, I ask Government to work with Parliament on reviewing the current legislation.