My 2pence worth.
In relation to the amount of terrorist searches amounting to no direct arrests, that number is high on paper granted. However in comparison with 'other' offences the police can legally search you for (Drugs under the misuse of drugs act, stolen goods under P.A.C.E section 1 and going equipped etc etc) the numbers would be far far greater (albeit with a slightly higher arrest result granted but say no more than 10% ratio?) and these powers are used with grounds and other factors coming into play (more so than what the section 44 powers required....which in comparison was no different to that of the pre Brixton riots sus search powers!) What statistic would be interesting is what % of those 100,000 ended in either arrest or a person bein reported for an offence when items were then found during the s.44 search. The public would not give two hoots if you searched Mr Smith on Whitehall for s.44 and he turned out to actually have a kilo of Charlie on him....That would be fine. Nobody would say 'Oh how terrible the poor man was being searched as a possible terror suspect then his little bag of drugs got found!'.
I do realise the issues these searches cause for some people (law abiding for example) however how do people feel in say NYC who are subjected to the same treatment from time to time. Given WHY the powers were created I think we would all agree it's for the greater good. But the execution of these in circumstances where someone is innocent have been badly demonstrated by some Police officers.
I think the simple fact is if your asked by a constable of the Queen to show him/her your photos so they can immediately rule you out of being dodgy then help make their day easier and go along with it. Take a stop and account form from them, keep the copy and produce it every time you get stopped again....nearly all cops will avoid repitition (Like you they probably have better things to do!)
In relation to the amount of terrorist searches amounting to no direct arrests, that number is high on paper granted. However in comparison with 'other' offences the police can legally search you for (Drugs under the misuse of drugs act, stolen goods under P.A.C.E section 1 and going equipped etc etc) the numbers would be far far greater (albeit with a slightly higher arrest result granted but say no more than 10% ratio?) and these powers are used with grounds and other factors coming into play (more so than what the section 44 powers required....which in comparison was no different to that of the pre Brixton riots sus search powers!) What statistic would be interesting is what % of those 100,000 ended in either arrest or a person bein reported for an offence when items were then found during the s.44 search. The public would not give two hoots if you searched Mr Smith on Whitehall for s.44 and he turned out to actually have a kilo of Charlie on him....That would be fine. Nobody would say 'Oh how terrible the poor man was being searched as a possible terror suspect then his little bag of drugs got found!'.
I do realise the issues these searches cause for some people (law abiding for example) however how do people feel in say NYC who are subjected to the same treatment from time to time. Given WHY the powers were created I think we would all agree it's for the greater good. But the execution of these in circumstances where someone is innocent have been badly demonstrated by some Police officers.
I think the simple fact is if your asked by a constable of the Queen to show him/her your photos so they can immediately rule you out of being dodgy then help make their day easier and go along with it. Take a stop and account form from them, keep the copy and produce it every time you get stopped again....nearly all cops will avoid repitition (Like you they probably have better things to do!)