Mark McGregor writes with his unofficial view of the recently released from the Northern Ireland Office of policing statistics under the provisions of the Terrorism Act. He perhaps provides a hint as to why so many Republicans are sceptical about any IRA move that would provide Tony Blair with a unilateral Act of Completion.
By Mark McGregor
The NI statistics on the operation of the Terrorism Act 2000 : Annual Statistics 2002 were released this week, as with these reports different things jump out to different people.
I noted the huge amount of unaccountable power HMG Armed Forces continue to have as a result of this legislation. I�m sure someone else will highlight the two 14-16 year olds arrested for scheduled offences.
The Terrorism Act confers widespread and drastic powers to the state, the PSNI are to some extent held accountable for how they use these powers albeit after the fact, the Armed Forces have the same power but none of the accountability.
So how often did the Army use these powers? The level of their activity may surprise those from urban, middle class areas or those living in majority Protestant areas. The level of paramilitary crime may be higher in Unionist areas at present; the Armed Forces are mostly deployed in Nationalist or Republican areas.
– Under Section 83 the Armed Forces made 23 arrests, the PSNI under the similar Section 82 made 31 arrests.
– Under Section 83 the Armed Forces searched 106 premises, the PSNI under section 82 entered 31 premises but only searched 25. (Searches without warrants)
– Under Section 84 the Armed Forces searched 374 premises, the PSNI 59. (Searches without warrants)
– Under section 89 the Armed Forces stopped and questioned 9,873. Under combined section 84/89 powers the PSNI stopped and searched/questioned 6,405.
Section 89 powers are designed to be used when investigating recent explosions or life endangering incidents. Can anyone recall the incidents that warranted nearly 10,000 questionings in relation to explosions or life endangering incidents?
Republicans are a focus of much of the political debate at present; particularly with demands for a clear statement that the war is over coming from all quarters. But at the same time statistics show the Armed Forces being used in a regular, widespread and unaccountable manner.
The Army may not be visible round your way, they�re clearly on the streets, stopping cars, searching houses and using Sections 83 and 89 on a regular basis.
Do both the IRA and Armed Forces need to commit to end the �war�? Or is it a case of �They won�t be going away you know� when it relates to the British army?
Mick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty
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