Terrorism Act 2000 (TACT)

The Terrorism Act is the primary piece of UK counter-terrorist legislation and it has proved a vital tool in the fight against terrorism.

Passed by Parliament on 20 July 2000, it came into force on 19 February 2001 in response to the changing threat from international terrorism, and replaced the previous temporary anti-terrorism legislation that dealt primarily with Northern Ireland.

These are some of the specific measures in the Terrorism Act:

• It outlaws certain terrorist groups and makes it illegal for them to operate in the UK (a process known as proscription), and specifically extends this proscription regime to include international terrorist groups, like Al Qaida. This is a tangible demonstration that we are serious in our fight against international terrorism and an effective deterrent against would-be terrorists. See 'Terrorist groups';
• It gives police enhanced powers to investigate terrorism, including wider stop and search powers, and the power to detain suspects after arrest for up to seven days (though any period longer than two days must be approved by a magistrate). See 'TATC Arrest Statistics' for more information about police arrests and charges under the TATC.
• It creates new criminal offences, including:
  1. inciting terrorist acts,
  2. seeking or providing training for terrorist purposes at home or overseas,
  3. providing instruction or training in the use of firearms, explosives or chemical, biological or nuclear weapons;
• It provides additional powers applicable to Northern Ireland only, which must be renewed every year.

The full text of the Terrorism Act is available on the website of Her Majesty's Stationery Office.

For Home Office Circulars and other Guidance connected with the Terrorism Act, see 'Reports & Publications'.

Back to top