The Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures Act will allow Home Secretary Theresa May to impose “a powerful range of disruptive measures” on those who pose a risk to UK security.
The new system follows the Government’s comprehensive review of counter-terrorism and security powers which assessed whether existing powers were/are necessary, effective and proportionate.
The outcome of the review, which was published earlier this year, recommended repealing control orders and replacing them with a more focused and targeted system of terrorism prevention and investigation measures.
Alongside the new regime, the Government is providing significant additional resources to the police and security service to underpin the effectiveness of the measures and the Government’s commitment to prosecuting wherever possible.
Royal Assent for the Act
On receipt of Royal Assent for the proposals, Home Secretary Theresa May said: “As I have always said, this Government’s first priority is to protect public safety and national security. Wherever possible, we will work to prosecute and convict suspected terrorists in open court.”
The Home Secretary added: “We reviewed counter-terrorism legislation to ensure it is both necessary and effective. The new Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures Act regime maintains effective powers for dealing with those who are engaged in terrorism-related activity – but who we cannot yet prosecute or deport. The additional resources for covert investigation could increase opportunities to collect evidence which may be used in a prosecution.”
Prosecution, conviction and imprisonment or deportation will always be the Government’s preferred method for dealing with terrorists. However, in the rare cases where this is not immediately possible, the TPIM regime will allow the Home Secretary to impose a powerful range of disruptive measures on individuals. Those include:
The new measures have a two-year time limit and will be imposed by the Home Secretary with prior permission from the High Court, except in urgent cases.
If a given individual re-engages in terrorism it will be possible to impose further restrictions on them.
The review of counter-terrorism and security powers also recognised that, in exceptional circumstances, additional and more stringent measures may be required.
Draft legislation has been published but will not be introduced to Parliament until necessary, allowing more restrictive measures including relocation, lengthy curfews and further restrictions on communications, association and movement.
New police professional body on the cards
A new police professional body that supports police officers at all ranks and civilian policing professionals will be set up next year.
The police service must be radically reformed in order to meet growing challenges and deliver the most effective service possible, and the new body will take responsibility for developing professional skills and leadership in the police service.
The National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) will also be phased out.
Some of the NPIA’s critical national services will be moved into the National Crime Agency via the Serious Organised Crime Agency. Responsibility for delivering other national services – like the non-emergency 101 phone number and crime mapping – will move to the Home Office.
Home Secretary Theresa May said: “The Government is transforming policing for the modern age with the most radical programme of change for more than 50 years. At its core is a new professional body that will develop skills and leadership, enabling the drive to reduce bureaucracy and with greater accountability to the public.”
Chief Constables’ Council
A Chief Constables’ Council will enable senior officers to assess and discuss critical operational issues.
The Government is also establishing an Information and Communications Technology company which will be owned by police authorities and, subsequently, Police and Crime Commissioners, with the police service as its customer.
