So long Section 44

The end of Section 44 in the PSNI’s armoury was treated to a typically mixed reception from either end of the political spectrum, ranging from something nearing relief in nationalist circles to regret from unionist representatives.

The controversial section of the Terrorism Act 2000 allowed police officers to enact stop and search powers on a mere hunch. However in January it was found to contravene Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects the right to a private life by the European Court of the same acronym.

Perhaps nowhere will be as glad to see the back of Section 44 as Strabane. The Strabane Policing District has spent most of the last few years hovering around the top of the table of Section 44 hotspots across the North.