GovWire

Summary

Today the Northern Ireland Office has launched a public consultation on updating the current Code of Practice (Northern Ireland) for the Authorisation and Exercise of Stop and Search Powers relating to Sections, 43, 43A, and 47A of, and Schedule 6B to, the Terrorism Act 2000

The consultation runs from 11am on 9 October 2023to11am on 2 January 2024

Consultation description

Updating the current Code of Practice (Northern Ireland) for the Authorisation and Exercise of Stop and Search Powers relating to Sections, 43, 43A, and 47A of, and Schedule 6B to, the Terrorism Act 2000 requires the proposed updated draft Code of Practice and a draft order to be laid before Parliament which must be approved by both Houses. The Government recognises the need to keep the public informed and to allow people the opportunity to comment on policy proposals.

This consultation, therefore, invites views on the proposed updated draft Code of Practice for the Authorisation and Exercise of Stop and Search Powers relating to Sections, 43, 43A, 43C and 47A of, and Schedule 6B to, the Terrorism Act 2000. Following the inclusion of a new power under section 43C of the Terrorism Act 2000 providing a power for a constable to stop and search a terrorist offender who has been released on licence (and not recalled) and whose licence includes a search condition. The proposed updates allow for constables to exercise the power provided they firstly satisfy themselves that it is necessary to do so for purposes connected with protecting members of the public from a risk of terrorism.

The Government is seeking views from stakeholders, including members of the public, representative bodies from the judiciary and community leaders from across Northern Ireland on the draft updated code.

The consultation will run for 12 weeks and provide the public and wider interested parties with the opportunity to have their say on whether the UK Government should seek to renew these provisions.