Terrorism Act 2000

The primary counter-terrorism statute in the United Kingdom, consolidating and extending earlier anti-terrorism legislation. It defines terrorism, proscribes terrorist organisations, creates a range of terrorism offences, and gives police extensive powers including powers of arrest, stop and search, and detention for up to 14 days with judicial oversight.

Key Provisions

• Section 1: definition of terrorism
• Schedule 2: list of proscribed organisations
• Section 11: offence of belonging to a proscribed organisation
• Section 12: offence of supporting a proscribed organisation
• Section 15: offence of fundraising for terrorism
• Section 40: definition of "terrorist" for detention purposes
• Section 41: power of arrest for terrorism offences without warrant
• Section 43: power to stop and search persons in connection with terrorism
• Section 44 (repealed): former suspicion-free stop and search power
• Schedule 7: examination at ports and borders
• Schedule 8: detention of terrorist suspects (up to 14 days)

Relevance to Policing

Central to understanding terrorism-related police powers, the definition of terrorism, the proscription regime, and the extended detention powers that apply to terrorist suspects.