Draft code of practice for police and border officials on seizing travel documents
Draft code of practice for officers exercising functions under Schedule 1 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 in connection with seizing and retaining travel documents.
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The draft code of practice was presented to Parliament on 12 February 2015 for approval by Parliament. The power and the draft code of practice will come into force on 13 February 2015.
The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act received Royal Assent on 12 February 2015. The act is a direct response to the increased terrorist threat and will ensure that we can:
- disrupt the ability of people to travel abroad to fight and their ability to return here
- enhance our ability to monitor and control the actions of those in the UK who pose a threat
- combat the underlying ideology that supports terrorism
Under schedule 1 of the act, the police may temporarily seize the passports and travel documents of individuals suspected of travelling for the purpose of engaging in terrorism-related activity outside the United Kingdom and retain these documents for up to 30 days. The new measure will be a significant addition to the powers that currently exist to disrupt terrorism related travel. The power can be exercised by the police or, upon police direction, by a Border Force officer at any port within the United Kingdom or in the border area between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Officers exercising the power will be required to follow the code of practice and the courts will take the code of practice into account when determining any question arising out of the exercise of this power.