Terrorism Act 2000

Part I Treatment of persons detained under section 41 or Schedule 7

Place of detention

1 (1) The Secretary of State shall designate places at which persons may be detained under Schedule 7 or section 41.

(2) In this Schedule a reference to a police station includes a reference to any place which the Secretary of State has designated under sub-paragraph (1) as a place where a person may be detained under section 41.

(3) Where a person is detained under Schedule 7, he may be taken in the custody of an examining officer or of a person acting under an examining officer’s authority to and from any place where his attendance is required for the purpose of—

(a) his examination under that Schedule,

(b) establishing his nationality or citizenship, or

(c) making arrangements for his admission to a country or territory outside the United Kingdom.

(4) A constable who arrests a person under section 41 shall take him as soon as is reasonably practicable to the police station which the constable considers the most appropriate.

(5) In this paragraph “examining officer” has the meaning given in Schedule 7.

(6) Where a person is arrested in one Part of the United Kingdom and all or part of his detention takes place in another Part, the provisions of this Schedule which apply to detention in a particular Part of the United Kingdom apply in relation to him while he is detained in that Part.

Identification

2 (1) An authorised person may take any steps which are reasonably necessary for—

(a) photographing the detained person,

(b) measuring him, or

(c) identifying him.

(2) In sub-paragraph (1) “authorised person” means any of the following—

(a) a constable,

(b) a prison officer,

(c) a person authorised by the Secretary of State, and

(d) in the case of a person detained under Schedule 7, an examining officer (within the meaning of that Schedule).

(3) This paragraph does not confer the power to take—

(a) fingerprints, non-intimate samples or intimate samples (within the meaning given by paragraph 15 below), or

(b) relevant physical data or samples as mentioned in section 18 of the [1995 c. 46.] Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 as applied by paragraph 20 below.

Audio and video recording of interviews

3 (1) The Secretary of State shall—

(a) issue a code of practice about the audio recording of interviews to which this paragraph applies, and

(b) make an order requiring the audio recording of interviews to which this paragraph applies in accordance with any relevant code of practice under paragraph (a).

(2) The Secretary of State may make an order requiring the video recording of—

(a) interviews to which this paragraph applies;

(b) interviews to which this paragraph applies which take place in a particular Part of the United Kingdom.

(3) An order under sub-paragraph (2) shall specify whether the video recording which it requires is to be silent or with sound.

(4) Where an order is made under sub-paragraph (2)—

(a) the Secretary of State shall issue a code of practice about the video recording of interviews to which the order applies, and

(b) the order shall require the interviews to be video recorded in accordance with any relevant code of practice under paragraph (a).

(5) Where the Secretary of State has made an order under sub-paragraph (2) requiring certain interviews to be video recorded with sound—

(a) he need not make an order under sub-paragraph (1)(b) in relation to those interviews, but

(b) he may do so.

(6) This paragraph applies to any interview by a constable of a person detained under Schedule 7 or section 41 if the interview takes place in a police station.

(7) A code of practice under this paragraph—

(a) may make provision in relation to a particular Part of the United Kingdom;

(b) may make different provision for different Parts of the United Kingdom.

4 (1) This paragraph applies to a code of practice under paragraph 3.

(2) Where the Secretary of State proposes to issue a code of practice he shall—

(a) publish a draft,

(b) consider any representations made to him about the draft, and

(c) if he thinks it appropriate, modify the draft in the light of any representations made to him.

(3) The Secretary of State shall lay a draft of the code before Parliament.

(4) When the Secretary of State has laid a draft code before Parliament he may bring it into operation by order.

(5) The Secretary of State may revise a code and issue the revised code; and sub-paragraphs (2) to (4) shall apply to a revised code as they apply to an original code.

(6) The failure by a constable to observe a provision of a code shall not of itself make him liable to criminal or civil proceedings.

(7) A code—

(a) shall be admissible in evidence in criminal and civil proceedings, and

(b) shall be taken into account by a court or tribunal in any case in which it appears to the court or tribunal to be relevant.

Status

5 A detained person shall be deemed to be in legal custody throughout the period of his detention.

Rights: England, Wales and Northern Ireland

6 (1) Subject to paragraph 8, a person detained under Schedule 7 or section 41 at a police station in England, Wales or Northern Ireland shall be entitled, if he so requests, to have one named person informed as soon as is reasonably practicable that he is being detained there.

(2) The person named must be—

(a) a friend of the detained person,

(b) a relative, or

(c) a person who is known to the detained person or who is likely to take an interest in his welfare.

(3) Where a detained person is transferred from one police station to another, he shall be entitled to exercise the right under this paragraph in respect of the police station to which he is transferred.

7 (1) Subject to paragraphs 8 and 9, a person detained under Schedule 7 or section 41 at a police station in England, Wales or Northern Ireland shall be entitled, if he so requests, to consult a solicitor as soon as is reasonably practicable, privately and at any time.

(2) Where a request is made under sub-paragraph (1), the request and the time at which it was made shall be recorded.

8 (1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), an officer of at least the rank of superintendent may authorise a delay—

(a) in informing the person named by a detained person under paragraph 6;

(b) in permitting a detained person to consult a solicitor under paragraph 7.

(2) But where a person is detained under section 41 he must be permitted to exercise his rights under paragraphs 6 and 7 before the end of the period mentioned in subsection (3) of that section.

(3) Subject to sub-paragraph (5), an officer may give an authorisation under sub-paragraph (1) only if he has reasonable grounds for believing—

(a) in the case of an authorisation under sub-paragraph (1)(a), that informing the named person of the detained person’s detention will have any of the consequences specified in sub-paragraph (4), or

(b) in the case of an authorisation under sub-paragraph (1)(b), that the exercise of the right under paragraph 7 at the time when the detained person desires to exercise it will have any of the consequences specified in sub-paragraph (4).

(4) Those consequences are—

(a) interference with or harm to evidence of a serious arrestable offence,

(b) interference with or physical injury to any person,

(c) the alerting of persons who are suspected of having committed a serious arrestable offence but who have not been arrested for it,

(d) the hindering of the recovery of property obtained as a result of a serious arrestable offence or in respect of which a forfeiture order could be made under section 23,

(e) interference with the gathering of information about the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism,

(f) the alerting of a person and thereby making it more difficult to prevent an act of terrorism, and

(g) the alerting of a person and thereby making it more difficult to secure a person’s apprehension, prosecution or conviction in connection with the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism.

(5) An officer may also give an authorisation under sub-paragraph (1) if he has reasonable grounds for believing that—

(a) the detained person has committed an offence to which Part VI of the [1988 c. 33.] Criminal Justice Act 1988, Part I of the [1995 c. 43.] Proceeds of Crime (Scotland) Act 1995, or the [S.I. 1996/1299 (N.I. 9).] Proceeds of Crime (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (confiscation of the proceeds of an offence) applies,

(b) the detained person has benefited from the offence within the meaning of that Part or Order, and

(c) by informing the named person of the detained person’s detention (in the case of an authorisation under sub-paragraph (1)(a)), or by the exercise of the right under paragraph 7 (in the case of an authorisation under sub-paragraph (1)(b)), the recovery of the value of that benefit will be hindered.

(6) If an authorisation under sub-paragraph (1) is given orally, the person giving it shall confirm it in writing as soon as is reasonably practicable.

(7) Where an authorisation under sub-paragraph (1) is given—

(a) the detained person shall be told the reason for the delay as soon as is reasonably practicable, and

(b) the reason shall be recorded as soon as is reasonably practicable.

(8) Where the reason for authorising delay ceases to subsist there may be no further delay in permitting the exercise of the right in the absence of a further authorisation under sub-paragraph (1).

(9) In this paragraph “serious arrestable offence” has the meaning given by section 116 of the [1984 c. 60.] Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (in relation to England and Wales) and by Article 87 of the [S.I. 1989/1341 (N.I.12).] Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (in relation to Northern Ireland); but it also includes—

(a) an offence under any of the provisions mentioned in section 40(1)(a) of this Act, and

(b) an attempt or conspiracy to commit an offence under any of the provisions mentioned in section 40(1)(a).

9 (1) A direction under this paragraph may provide that a detained person who wishes to exercise the right under paragraph 7 may consult a solicitor only in the sight and hearing of a qualified officer.

(2) A direction under this paragraph may be given—

(a) where the person is detained at a police station in England or Wales, by an officer of at least the rank of Commander or Assistant Chief Constable, or

(b) where the person is detained at a police station in Northern Ireland, by an officer of at least the rank of Assistant Chief Constable.

(3) A direction under this paragraph may be given only if the officer giving it has reasonable grounds for believing that, unless the direction is given, the exercise of the right by the detained person will have any of the consequences specified in paragraph 8(4) or the consequence specified in paragraph 8(5)(c).

(4) In this paragraph “a qualified officer” means a police officer who—

(a) is of at least the rank of inspector,

(b) is of the uniformed branch of the force of which the officer giving the direction is a member, and

(c) in the opinion of the officer giving the direction, has no connection with the detained person’s case.

(5) A direction under this paragraph shall cease to have effect once the reason for giving it ceases to subsist.

10 (1) This paragraph applies where a person is detained in England, Wales or Northern Ireland under Schedule 7 or section 41.

(2) Fingerprints may be taken from the detained person only if they are taken by a constable—

(a) with the appropriate consent given in writing, or

(b) without that consent under sub-paragraph (4).

(3) A non-intimate sample may be taken from the detained person only if it is taken by a constable—

(a) with the appropriate consent given in writing, or

(b) without that consent under sub-paragraph (4).

(4) Fingerprints or a non-intimate sample may be taken from the detained person without the appropriate consent only if—

(a) he is detained at a police station and a police officer of at least the rank of superintendent authorises the fingerprints or sample to be taken, or

(b) he has been convicted of a recordable offence and, where a non-intimate sample is to be taken, he was convicted of the offence on or after 10th April 1995 (or 29th July 1996 where the non-intimate sample is to be taken in Northern Ireland).

(5) An intimate sample may be taken from the detained person only if—

(a) he is detained at a police station,

(b) the appropriate consent is given in writing,

(c) a police officer of at least the rank of superintendent authorises the sample to be taken, and

(d) subject to paragraph 13(2) and (3), the sample is taken by a constable.

(6) An officer may give an authorisation under sub-paragraph (4)(a) or (5)(c) only if—

(a) in the case of a person detained under section 41, the officer reasonably suspects that the person has been involved in an offence under any of the provisions mentioned in section 40(1)(a), and the officer reasonably believes that the fingerprints or sample will tend to confirm or disprove his involvement, or

(b) in any case, the officer is satisfied that the taking of the fingerprints or sample from the person is necessary in order to assist in determining whether he falls within section 40(1)(b).

(7) If an authorisation under sub-paragraph (4)(a) or (5)(c) is given orally, the person giving it shall confirm it in writing as soon as is reasonably practicable.

11 (1) Before fingerprints or a sample are taken from a person under paragraph 10, he shall be informed—

(a) that the fingerprints or sample may be used for the purposes of paragraph 14(4), section 63A(1) of the [1984 c. 60.] Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and Article 63A(1) of the [S.I. 1989/1341 (N.I. 12).] Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (checking of fingerprints and samples), and

(b) where the fingerprints or sample are to be taken under paragraph 10(2)(a), (3)(a) or (4)(b), of the reason for taking the fingerprints or sample.

(2) Before fingerprints or a sample are taken from a person upon an authorisation given under paragraph 10(4)(a) or (5)(c), he shall be informed—

(a) that the authorisation has been given,

(b) of the grounds upon which it has been given, and

(c) where relevant, of the nature of the offence in which it is suspected that he has been involved.

(3) After fingerprints or a sample are taken under paragraph 10, there shall be recorded as soon as is reasonably practicable any of the following which apply—

(a) the fact that the person has been informed in accordance with sub-paragraphs (1) and (2),

(b) the reason referred to in sub-paragraph (1)(b),

(c) the authorisation given under paragraph 10(4)(a) or (5)(c),

(d) the grounds upon which that authorisation has been given, and

(e) the fact that the appropriate consent has been given.

12 (1) This paragraph applies where—

(a) two or more non-intimate samples suitable for the same means of analysis have been taken from a person under paragraph 10,

(b) those samples have proved insufficient, and

(c) the person has been released from detention.

(2) An intimate sample may be taken from the person if—

(a) the appropriate consent is given in writing,

(b) a police officer of at least the rank of superintendent authorises the sample to be taken, and

(c) subject to paragraph 13(2) and (3), the sample is taken by a constable.

(3) Paragraphs 10(6) and (7) and 11 shall apply in relation to the taking of an intimate sample under this paragraph; and a reference to a person detained under section 41 shall be taken as a reference to a person who was detained under section 41 when the non-intimate samples mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(a) were taken.

13 (1) Where appropriate written consent to the taking of an intimate sample from a person under paragraph 10 or 12 is refused without good cause, in any proceedings against that person for an offence—

(a) the court, in determining whether to commit him for trial or whether there is a case to answer, may draw such inferences from the refusal as appear proper, and

(b) the court or jury, in determining whether that person is guilty of the offence charged, may draw such inferences from the refusal as appear proper.

(2) An intimate sample other than a sample of urine or a dental impression may be taken under paragraph 10 or 12 only by a registered medical practitioner acting on the authority of a constable.

(3) An intimate sample which is a dental impression may be taken under paragraph 10 or 12 only by a registered dentist acting on the authority of a constable.

(4) Where a sample of hair other than pubic hair is to be taken under paragraph 10 the sample may be taken either by cutting hairs or by plucking hairs with their roots so long as no more are plucked than the person taking the sample reasonably considers to be necessary for a sufficient sample.

14 (1) This paragraph applies to—

(a) fingerprints or samples taken under paragraph 10 or 12, and

(b) information derived from those samples.

(2) The fingerprints, samples or information may be used only for the purpose of a terrorist investigation.

(3) In particular, a check may not be made against them under—

(a) section 63A(1) of the [1984 c. 60.] Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (checking of fingerprints and samples), or

(b) Article 63A(1) of the [S.I. 1989/1341 (N.I.12).] Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (checking of fingerprints and samples),

except for the purpose of a terrorist investigation.

(4) The fingerprints, samples or information may be checked, subject to sub-paragraph (2), against—

(a) other fingerprints or samples taken under paragraph 10 or 12 or information derived from those samples,

(b) relevant physical data or samples taken by virtue of paragraph 20,

(c) any of the fingerprints, samples and information mentioned in section 63A(1)(a) and (b) of the [1984 c. 60.] Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (checking of fingerprints and samples),

(d) any of the fingerprints, samples and information mentioned in Article 63A(1)(a) and (b) of the [S.I. 1989/1341 (N.I. 12).] Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (checking of fingerprints and samples), and

(e) fingerprints or samples taken under section 15(9) of, or paragraph 7(5) of Schedule 5 to, the [1989 c. 4.] Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 or information derived from those samples.

(5) This paragraph (other than sub-paragraph (4)) shall apply to fingerprints or samples taken under section 15(9) of, or paragraph 7(5) of Schedule 5 to, the [1989 c. 4.] Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 and information derived from those samples as it applies to fingerprints or samples taken under paragraph 10 or 12 and the information derived from those samples.

15 (1) In the application of paragraphs 10 to 14 in relation to a person detained in England or Wales the following expressions shall have the meaning given by section 65 of the [1984 c. 60.] Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Part V definitions)—

(a) “appropriate consent”,

(b) “fingerprints”,

(c) “insufficient”,

(d) “intimate sample”,

(e) “non-intimate sample”,

(f) “registered dentist”, and

(g) “sufficient”.

(2) In the application of paragraphs 10 to 14 in relation to a person detained in Northern Ireland the expressions listed in sub-paragraph (1) shall have the meaning given by Article 53 of the [S.I. 1989/1341 (N.I. 12).] Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (definitions).

(3) In paragraph 10 “recordable offence” shall have—

(a) in relation to a person detained in England or Wales, the meaning given by section 118(1) of the [1984 c. 60.] Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (general interpretation), and

(b) in relation to a person detained in Northern Ireland, the meaning given by Article 2(2) of the [S.I. 1989/1341 (N.I. 12).] Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (definitions).

Rights: Scotland

16 (1) A person detained under Schedule 7 or section 41 at a police station in Scotland shall be entitled to have intimation of his detention and of the place where he is being detained sent without delay to a solicitor and to another person named by him.

(2) The person named must be—

(a) a friend of the detained person,

(b) a relative, or

(c) a person who is known to the detained person or who is likely to take an interest in his welfare.

(3) Where a detained person is transferred from one police station to another, he shall be entitled to exercise the right under sub-paragraph (1) in respect of the police station to which he is transferred.

(4) A police officer not below the rank of superintendent may authorise a delay in making intimation where, in his view, the delay is necessary on one of the grounds mentioned in paragraph 17(3) or where paragraph 17(4) applies.

(5) Where a detained person requests that the intimation be made, there shall be recorded the time when the request is—

(a) made, and

(b) complied with.

(6) A person detained shall be entitled to consult a solicitor at any time, without delay.

(7) A police officer not below the rank of superintendent may authorise a delay in holding the consultation where, in his view, the delay is necessary on one of the grounds mentioned in paragraph 17(3) or where paragraph 17(4) applies.

(8) Subject to paragraph 17, the consultation shall be private.

(9) Where a person is detained under section 41 he must be permitted to exercise his rights under this paragraph before the end of the period mentioned in subsection (3) of that section.

17 (1) An officer not below the rank of Assistant Chief Constable may direct that the consultation mentioned in paragraph 16(6) shall be in the presence of a uniformed officer not below the rank of inspector if it appears to the officer giving the direction to be necessary on one of the grounds mentioned in sub-paragraph (3).

(2) A uniformed officer directed to be present during a consultation shall be an officer who, in the opinion of the officer giving the direction, has no connection with the case.

(3) The grounds mentioned in paragraph 16(4) and (7) and in sub-paragraph (1) are—

(a) that it is in the interests of the investigation or prevention of crime;

(b) that it is in the interests of the apprehension, prosecution or conviction of offenders;

(c) that it will further the recovery of property obtained as a result of the commission of an offence or in respect of which a forfeiture order could be made under section 23;

(d) that it will further the operation of Part VI of the [1988 c. 33.] Criminal Justice Act 1988, Part I of the [1995 c. 43.] Proceeds of Crime (Scotland) Act 1995 or the [S.I. 1996/1299 (N.I.9).] Proceeds of Crime (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (confiscation of the proceeds of an offence).

(4) This sub-paragraph applies where an officer mentioned in paragraph 16(4) or (7) has reasonable grounds for believing that—

(a) the detained person has committed an offence to which Part VI of the [1988 c. 33.] Criminal Justice Act 1988, Part I of the [1995 c. 43.] Proceeds of Crime (Scotland) Act 1995 or the [S.I. 1996/1299 (N.I.9).] Proceeds of Crime (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (confiscation of the proceeds of an offence) applies,

(b) the detained person has benefited from the offence within the meaning of that Part or Order, and

(c) by informing the named person of the detained person’s detention (in the case of an authorisation under paragraph 16(4)) or by the exercise of the entitlement under paragraph 16(6) (in the case of an authorisation under paragraph 16(7)) the recovery of the value of that benefit will be hindered.

(5) Where delay is authorised in the exercising of any of the rights mentioned in paragraph 16(1) and (6)—

(a) if the authorisation is given orally, the person giving it shall confirm it in writing as soon as is reasonably practicable,

(b) the detained person shall be told the reason for the delay as soon as is reasonably practicable, and

(c) the reason shall be recorded as soon as is reasonably practicable.

18 (1) Paragraphs 16 and 17 shall have effect, in relation to a person detained under section 41 or Schedule 7, in place of any enactment or rule of law under or by virtue of which a person arrested or detained may be entitled to communicate or consult with any other person.

(2) But, where a person detained under Schedule 7 or section 41 at a police station in Scotland appears to a constable to be a child—

(a) the other person named by the person detained in pursuance of paragraph 16(1) shall be that person’s parent, and

(b) section 15(4) of the [1995 c. 46.] Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 shall apply to the person detained as it applies to a person who appears to a constable to be a child who is being detained as mentioned in paragraph (b) of section 15(1) of that Act,

and in this sub-paragraph “child” and “parent” have the same meaning as in section 15(4) of that Act.

19 The Secretary of State shall, by order, make provision to require that—

(a) except in such circumstances, and

(b) subject to such conditions,

as may be specified in the order, where a person detained has been permitted to consult a solicitor, the solicitor shall be allowed to be present at any interview carried out in connection with a terrorist investigation or for the purposes of Schedule 7.

20 (1) Subject to the modifications specified in sub-paragraphs (2) and (3), section 18 of the [1995 c. 46.] Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 (procedure for taking certain prints and samples) shall apply to a person detained under Schedule 7 or section 41 at a police station in Scotland as it applies to a person arrested or a person detained under section 14 of that Act.

(2) For subsection (2) of section 18 there shall be substituted—

“(2) A constable may take from a detained person or require a detained person to provide relevant physical data only if—

(a) in the case of a person detained under section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000, he reasonably suspects that the person has been involved in an offence under any of the provisions mentioned in section 40(1)(a) of that Act and he reasonably believes that the relevant physical data will tend to confirm or disprove his involvement, or

(b) in any case, he is satisfied that it is necessary in order to assist in determining whether the person falls within section 40(1)(b) of that Act.”

(3) Subsections (3) to (5) shall not apply, but any relevant physical data or sample taken in pursuance of section 18 as applied by this paragraph shall be retained only for the purposes of terrorist investigations.