Reuben Powell case is latest illustration of anti-terror laws abuse - Hughes

6.00.00pm GMT Wed 7th Jan 2009

Reuben Powell's arrest under the Prevention of Terrorism Act has caused me great concern. I was not only concerned for Reuben himself, but I am anxious that his case is one of many which demonstrate growing and unnecessary state intrusion into our civil liberties.

I do not condone knife crime and I certainly am not criticising Southwark police in their zero tolerance policy on carrying knives in public. The work which the police have done in tackling knife crime has been essential in order to protect the community. Nevertheless, what troubles me is that anti-terrorism legislation was used to justify arresting and searching a local artist, whose work an important part of the regeneration of the local area.

Reuben Powell's case is only one example of the growing use of anti-terrorism legislation as an excuse to stop and search citizens. The anti-terror laws were passed by parliament to protect the public in exceptional circumstances. Taking photographs in Elephant & Castle is neither an exceptional circumstance, nor a threat to national security. Reuben's arrest now joins that of the anti-arms demonstrators outside the ExCel centre and the anti-war protesters outside RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire in 2003. Cases like these not only infringe human rights which are enshrined by law, they undermine the seriousness of the genuine cases which the terrorism legislation was enacted for.

I am waiting for a reply from the Home Secretary to a written parliamentary question on the guidance given to police arresting individuals involved in legal protests. This followed a letter from a local resident who said they had twice been threatened with arrest under section 30 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 (formerly section 14 of the Public Order Act 1986) for peacefully protesting outside a shop in Southwark.

Law enforcement and the protection of civil liberties must not be viewed as being distinct from one another. It is as much a responsibility of the state and its officers to protect citizens from infringements of their civil liberties as it is to enforce the law. Unfortunately, it seems a succession of Home Secretaries have forgotten this.