Published Date:
07 July 2009
The increasing number of people being stopped and search under anti-terrorism legislation was discussed at a meeting of the Policing Board on Thursday amid complaints from Derry republicans about being searched.
Members of the Board's human rights and professional standards committee received an update about the use of stop and search powers.
The move comes after a Derry solicitor criticised the PSNI, claiming they are using stop and search powers against people based solely on their political beliefs.
Paddy MacDermott made the comment after members of the 32 County Sovereignty Movement (32CSM) in Derry claimed that are being harassed on "an hourly basis."
Leading Derry republican Gary Donnelly has said he and several of his children have been stopped under section 44 of the Terrorism Act on a number of occasions in the last number of weeks.
On Wednesday he contacted the 'Journal' to say he and his daughter had been detained and searched by police on Meadowbank Avenue while out shopping. He claimed the search is "part of a part of a campaign of intimidation against republicans and their families."
Policing Board members were told that a new system of recording the number of people stopped and searched would be in place by September.
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Last Updated:
07 July 2009 10:11 AM
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Source:
n/a
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Location:
Derry
