Schedule 7 to the Terrorism Act 2000: code of practice consultation summary document
The Home Office is seeking views on how well the changes to Schedule 7 to the Terrorism Act 2000 in the Counter-terrorism and Security Bill are reflected within the revised draft code of practice.
Schedule 7 to the Terrorism Act 2000 (‘Schedule 7’) allows an examining officer to stop and question individuals travelling through ports, airports, international rail stations or the border area. When necessary they may also detain and search individuals. The aim is to determine whether that person appears to be someone who is or has been concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.
Schedule 7 also contains a power for examining officers to examine goods, which may only be exercised for the purpose of determining whether the goods have been used in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism. Goods examinations under Schedule 7 have found items including birth certificates, passports, mobile phones, memory cards, and firearms being used in the commission, preparation and instigation of terrorism.
Given the current threat from Syria and Iraq, measures in the Counter-terrorism and Security (CTS) Bill clarify the legal position in relation to the examination of goods in remote storage outside the immediate boundary of a port and of goods comprising items of post. The statutory code of practice provides guidance to examining officers on the application and interpretation of Schedule 7.
The Home Office has had to revise the code of practice to reflect the changes introduced in the CTS Bill. These changes will maintain the protection of the UK border as well as confirming that the practice of examining goods is foreseeable and lawful.
The Home Office welcomes your views on how well the changes in the CTS Bill are reflected within the revised draft code of practice.
How to respondYou can only respond via the online survey. You should read the accompanying background information before completing the online survey.
Responses must be received by 30 January 2015.
Address and email for further enquiries:
Borders and Aviation Security Unit
Office for Security and Counter-terrorism
5th Floor, Peel Building
Home Office
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF