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| Anti-terror stops surge in London | Anti-terror stops surge in London |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Anti-terror stop and searches in London have risen five-fold since the alleged attempted June car bomb attacks. | |
| Metropolitan Police chiefs said officers were making more use of special powers to "deter, disrupt and prevent terrorist activity". | Metropolitan Police chiefs said officers were making more use of special powers to "deter, disrupt and prevent terrorist activity". |
| Provisional figures reveal there were almost 11,000 stops in July - five times more than the monthly average. | Provisional figures reveal there were almost 11,000 stops in July - five times more than the monthly average. |
| Under the controversial law, officers can stop and search people without needing to suspect them of a crime. | Under the controversial law, officers can stop and search people without needing to suspect them of a crime. |
| Under Section 44 of the Terrorism act 2000, police officers can conduct these stops providing they take place in an area classed as a potential terrorist target. | |
| SEC 44 STOP AND SEARCH July 07: 10,948 stops06-07 average: 2,11406-07 total: 25,374 Source: Metropolitan Police | |
| The power is currently in force across London and the Metropolitan Police Authority, the force's watchdog, warned earlier this year the stops were doing "untold damage" to community relations. | |
| Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair has previously defended use of the powers, but accepted that more was needed to be done to explain why they are used. | |
| Announcing that there would be more use of the powers in the wake of the alleged attempted Glasgow and London car bombings, Commander Rod Jarman of the force said the stops were a vital tactic in limiting the chances for terrorist attacks in the capital. | |
| "You may see an increase in overt counter terrorism activities by the police over the coming months," he said. | |
| "Terrorists live, work and blend in to our communities. They need information; accommodation; transport; communications; material; and storage. Terrorists can come from any background and live anywhere. They are as likely to be seen in quiet suburban roads as they are in inner-city areas. | |
| "To compliment our more covert methods of fighting terrorism we must have a more visible presence to deter and prevent terrorist activity." | |
| "In order to achieve this we need the support of the public. We ask for co-operation and patience while we carry out these important duties to help keep London safe," Mr Jarman said. |