Prevention of Terrorism (Additional Powers) Act 1996

4 Police cordons

(1) In the 1989 Act insert, after section 16B—

“PART IVB CORDONS AND PROTECTIVE POWERS

16C Power to impose a police cordon

(1) If it appears to a police officer of at least the rank of superintendent that it is expedient to do so in connection with an investigation into the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism to which this section applies, he may authorise a cordon to be imposed on an area specified by him in the authorisation.

(2) If it appears to a constable below the rank of superintendent that it is necessary for him to do so as a matter of great urgency, he may exercise the power given to a superintendent by subsection (1) above.

(3) The acts of terrorism to which this section applies are—

(a) acts of terrorism connected with the affairs of Northern Ireland; and

(b) acts of terrorism of any other description except acts connected solely with the affairs of the United Kingdom or any part of the United Kingdom other than Northern Ireland.

(4) The powers that may be exercised within an area on which a cordon has been imposed under this section are set out in Schedule 6A to this Act.

(5) Schedule 6A also makes further provision with respect to cordoned areas.”

(2) The new Schedule 6A to the 1989 Act is inserted by the Schedule to this Act.