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Islamic Human Rights Commission
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20 February 2009
PRESS RELEASE: UK – Police stop 180,000 people under Section 44 but only 255 arrested.
Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) is deeply concerned with the recently released statistics regarding stops and searches under s44 of the Terrorism Act 2000. It is clear that there is significant misuse of powers granted to the Police under the Act.

The police have stopped and searched almost 180,000 suspects and only 255 individuals[1] have been detained for terrorist related offences, with no convictions resulting.

With every stop and search costing the tax payer approximately £17, IHRC Chair Massoud Shadjareh:

“For many youths it is a very negative first time experience with the police. Millions of pounds and valuable time of police offers is being wasted in alienating communities.

“These statistics yet again confirm our concerns over the ineffectiveness and wastage of resources through Stop and Searches under Section 44.

“In addition to this, the fact that no reasonable grounds are needed by Police officers to stop someone under this law, is one of the reasons stops and searches are perceived and experienced to be increasingly negative encounters by affected communities.”

For more information please contact the Press Office on (+44) 20 8904 4222 or (+44) 795 8522 196 email info@ihrc.org.[ENDS]

Note to Editors:

[1] http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1141342/Terror-law-overkill-Police-stop-180-000-people-draconian-laws-255-arrested.html

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The Islamic Human Rights Commission is an NGO in special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

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Islamic Human Rights Commission
PO Box 598
Wembley
HA9 7XH
United Kingdom

Telephone (+44) 20 8904 4222
Fax (+44) 20 8904 5183
Email: info@ihrc.org
Web: www.ihrc.org