2009 press releases

5th Jan: Local MP in warning over trainspotters stopped under terrorism laws

Figures obtained by Lewes MP Norman Baker reveal that nearly 160,000 people were stopped by police officers on railway property in the year between October 2007 and September 2008.

Of these, more than 60,000 were stopped using counter-terrorism powers. A further 60,000 were stopped using police stop and search powers. Around half of those were stopped in the London area - potentially including many passengers from Sussex.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker said:

"While it is important to be vigilant about the threat of terrorism to the transport network, the sheer scale of the number of people stopped by police on railway property is ridiculous.

"The anti-terror laws allow officers to stop people for taking photographs and I know that this has led to innocent trainspotters being stopped.

"This is an abuse of anti-terrorism powers and a worrying sign that we are sliding towards a police state.

"Trainspotting may be an activity of limited and indeed questionable appeal, but it is not a criminal offence and it is not a terrorist threat.

"Law-abiding passengers get enough hassle on overcrowded trains as it is without the added inconvenience of overzealous policing."

The figures were provided to Norman Baker by the British Transport Police. A regional and ethnic breakdown is attached.

Police can stop people at train stations using one of four powers:

• S44 Prevention of Terrorism Act 2000 - a power to search any individual in any area designated by the Home Secretary to help protect acts of terrorism
• Stop and Search S1 Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 - a power to stop people on the basis of reasonable suspicion of unlawful possession of items of property
• Stop and Account - to ask why someone is at that location
• S60 Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 - used during serious disorder to search for weapons but not requiring any suspicion

Between 1 October 2007 and 30 September 2008:

• 62,584 people were stopped using the S44 Prevention of Terrorism Act 2000
• 60,876 people were stopped using Stop and Search powers
• 26,962 people were stopped using Stop and Account powers
• 7,910 people were stopped using the S60 Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994

The British Transport Police were unable to give specific figures for the numbers of railway enthusiasts stopped using these powers. In a letter to Norman Baker on October 31, Chief Constable Ian Johnston said: "There is clear guidance available to officers (and railway enthusiasts), and this has been reissued on a number of occasions over the last couple of months in response to the increased concern amongst some railway enthusiasts and the media."

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