NCJ Number
161957
Date Published
1996
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This bulletin provides statistics on the use of the powers under Great Britain's Prevention of Terrorism legislation and also provides details of the outcome of the detentions.
Abstract
The Prevention of Terrorism Act 1989 provides that the police may arrest suspected terrorists and detain them for 48 hours on their own authority, with the possibility of an extension or extensions of detention for a maximum of an additional 5 days authorized by the Secretary of State; persons involved in terrorism connected with the affairs of Northern Ireland may be excluded from Great Britain, Northern Ireland, or the United Kingdom; police have powers to conduct a security check on travelers entering or leaving Great Britain or Northern Ireland. Statistics show that during 1995, fewer persons were detained in connection with Northern Irish terrorism than in any previous year. Fifteen persons were detained in connection with Northern Irish terrorism, and 19 were detained in connection with international terrorism. Thirteen persons detained were charged with an offense, and there were 35 exclusion orders in force at the end of 1995, down from 58 at the end of 1994. Extensions of detention were granted for 18 persons, and 202 persons were examined for more than 1 hour but not detained. 10 tables and 1 figure