The Terrorism Act 2000 (“the 2000 Act”) confers certain powers on police officers. Section 99(1) enables the Secretary of State to make codes of practice in relation to the exercise of any power conferred by the Act.

The first code of practice came into operation on 19th February 2001. This Order brings into operation a revised version of that code. The revisions affect Part 2 of the code (Code of Practice for the Identification of Persons by Police Officers) so as to make the use of video identification parades the first option available to investigating officers when trying to identify a suspect. This will mean that investigators in Northern Ireland will have the same video identification options available as those in England and Wales.

The revised code was subject to consultation before being laid before Parliament.