Official figures show that the number of terror-arrest charges in Britain has hit record high.
The number of people arrested in Britain for terrorism and charged with a criminal offence has hit its highest level in 2012-13, official figures show.
According to the Home Office’s quarterly terror statistics, 249 people were arrested in connection with counter-terrorism operations in the UK in 2012-13, showing an increase of 21 percent when compared with the previous year™s figures.
Of those 249 people arrested, some 105 were released with no further action and immigration enforcement action was taken in 39 cases. Some 37 were also charged with a terrorism-related offence and 68 were charged under other legislation.
Moreover, the figures showed that 2,297 people were arrested in Britain on suspicion of terrorism offences between September 2001 and August 2012.
Muslims constituted over 46 percent of those arrested, while 47 percent were of “unknown” religion.
Under section 44 of Britain’s Terrorism Act, which came into effect in February 2001, officers can stop and search anyone without having to show reasonable suspicion. Opponents of the law say it has no special function except fueling resentment amongst minority communities.
SSM/HE
Copyright: Press TV