| A spokeswoman for the Force stressed no application had yet been submitted to the Home Secretary Charles Clark MP, but it was under consideration, and if deemed necessary, a request to use the powers of detention under section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 will be made.
If obtained, it will grant officers enhanced stop and search powers, which can be used in the prevention of acts of terrorism.
Chief Constable John Vine, who will make the ultimate decision whether to make the application to the Home Secretary, said, “The provisions of the Section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 have been used on a number of occasions around high profile events in London and further afield.
“We are examining how they work and how they might apply to the G8 Summit.
“If the circumstances merit an application, this will be considered.
“It should be stressed that the provisions of the Section 44 are there to allow the police to take proportionate approach when judged necessary to assist in the prevention of acts of terrorism.”
The spokeswoman added that the move has always been up for consideration and has not been triggered by any recent information obtained.
It is also said not to be in response to Bob Geldof’s appeal for a million people to descend on Edinburgh for an anti-poverty rally on the July 6.
No Scottish force has previously applied for such powers, but the magnitude of the G8 policing operation, and the influx of high-profile world leaders such as American President George Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Tayside Police may regard the laws as another beneficial weapon in their armoury.
The government says the powers under section 44 are part of a structured counter-terrorist strategy and are used to help deter and disrupt terrorist activity.
Fife Constabulary’s G8 Planning Team has provided businesses throughout the Kingdom with information packs on how to deal with problems during the Summit. |
