Authorised Stop and Search Without Suspicion (Terrorism)

Terrorism Act 2000, s.47A

Warrant: No
Force: Yes
Notice: No

A senior police officer may authorise constables to stop and search persons and vehicles in a specified locality without individual reasonable suspicion. This replaced the controversial s.44 power following the European Court of Human Rights ruling in Gillan and Quinton v United Kingdom. A written authorisation from at least an assistant chief constable (or commander in the Metropolitan Police/City of London Police) is required.

Conditions

Senior officer (at least assistant chief constable, or commander in the Metropolitan Police) must reasonably suspect an act of terrorism will take place
Authorisation is necessary to prevent such an act
Authorisation is limited in time (no longer than 14 days initially) and area
Confirmation from the Secretary of State is required within 48 hours

Limitations

Constables still cannot search for the purpose of discovering whether the person has relevant material: the search is to look for evidence of involvement in terrorism
Significantly narrower than the former s.44 due to the Gillan judgment
Confirmation from Secretary of State required within 48 hours to continue

Last updated 24 September 2026