Northern Ireland

PSNI apologise after 115 people stopped and searched without correct authorisation

Assistant Chief Constable Barbara Gray
Assistant Chief Constable Barbara Gray Assistant Chief Constable Barbara Gray

THE PSNI could be facing legal action after it admitted that stop and search operations carried out on 115 people did not have correct authorisation.

Those involved were all stopped under a specified section of the justice and security act between July 30 and August 11 this year.

Assistant Chief Constable Barbara Gray said police have written to those identified as being affected "to inform them the stop and searches were invalid and to apologise for any inconvenience caused".

Solicitor Gavin Booth, of Phoenix Law, last night said some of those who received letters have instructed him to take legal action.

Three of those targeted in stop and search operation were under the age of 18 and in these cases parents or guardians were contacted.

Ms Gray said: "Part of this framework requires that the power to stop and search under the Justice and Security Act can only be exercised with prior authorisation by a chief officer or someone temporarily promoted to the role.

"On this occasion, an error occurred because the authorisation was considered and signed by an individual who was an Acting Assistant Chief Constable rather than being temporarily promoted to the role."

She added that police have notified the Independent Reviewer of Justice and Security, the Policing Board and the Police Ombudsman.

Mr Booth said he has been contacted by some of those impacted.

"We have been instructed by a number of clients to issue proceedings following their unlawful stop and search by the PSNI," he said.

SDLP Policing Board member Dolores Kelly said the wider use of stop of search powers remains a matter of concern.

"The use if stop and search continues to concern our party and the Policing Board and is still under discussion at the performance committee," she said.