New measures proposed to fight terrorism (Home Office, 7 June 2007, pdf). These include: - longer pre-charge detention - the government has made it clear that it believes it is right to hold suspects beyond
New measures proposed to fight terrorism (Home Office, 7 June 2007, pdf). These include:
– longer pre-charge detention – the government has made it clear that it believes it is right to hold suspects beyond 28 days, but the Home Secretary said he wants, if possible, to build a broad agreement on the issue before action is taken;
– enhanced sentences – when terror suspects are charged with general offences, the government believes sentences should be longer than in non-terror cases
– intercept as evidence – a review will be conducted into the potential ramifications of allowing intercept to be used in terrorism court cases
– stop and question – the government is conducting an internal consultation on the possibility of enhancing police powers to allow them to stop and question people about their activities, but the matter is at a very early stage
A Bill is expected in the autumn.