Police want new powers to deal with aftermath of terror attack (UK)

[VolcanoJen]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/terrorism/story/0,12780,1091731,00.html

Hugh Muir
Monday November 24, 2003
The Guardian

Britain's most senior policeman yesterday called for increased powers to deal with the aftermath of a terrorist attack.
Sir John Stevens, Commissioner of the Metropolitan police, said it was "absolutely essential" for officers to have the ability to direct the public amid the chaos of a terrorist attack in Britain.

The government's civil contingencies bill allows the police to order evacuations, confiscate property and animals without compensation, ban demonstrations and travel, and impose curfews. The powers would need renewal after 30 days.

Sir John said that in the event of an attack "we absolutely need those powers to move people around, get them to safe areas, basically for the public safety".

There's another LBN story and thread about the Civil Contingencies Bill, by Newsjock, here: Sweeping new emergency laws to counter UK terror

This Guardian story is the first I've heard of the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police endorsing the plan, which it appears is about to be rolled out to the British, along with new terror alerts.

:scared:

I only hope they don't have to endure an edgy, difficult, and panicky first "Terra Threat," as we did. :-(

[emad]

1. They won't get them as it would put them on a par with the

military, who are the only ones with absoulte authority to carry out those contingencies in the event of a terror attack.