Blunkett plans tougher terror laws

Mr Blunkett says changes are necessary to protect the public

Terror suspects could be held for twice as long without trial, under plans to be unveiled by Home Secretary David Blunkett.

He wants to extend the maximum detention time for suspects from seven to 14 days, when agreed by a court.

The home secretary also wants to introduce harsher penalties for passport and driving licence fraud.

He accepted the measures would be controversial but said they were necessary in "exceptional or complex cases" where the police needed more time to investigate.

WHY POLICE SAY THEY NEED MORE TIME Cases are increasingly complex International terrorism crosses national boundaries, requiring checks abroad Computer hard disks need detailed analysis Forensic examination of suspected toxins can cause delays

The proposals which will form an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill and would apply across the UK, have been welcomed by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO).

But Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Simon Hughes said the government would have to make a "strong case" before any "further restrictions of liberty" became acceptable.

"It might be better to detain a suspected terrorist for two weeks pending investigations than to detain them indefinitely in a high security prison," he said.

"But any detention without trial should be strictly limited and subject to regular review by the courts."

Also under Mr Blunkett's proposals, anyone carrying out passport or driving licence fraud could be immediately arrested, instead of being issued with a summons to appear in court at a later date.

Scrutiny

And anyone who makes a fraudulent driving licence application could face up to two years in prison, rather than facing a maximum fine of £2,500.

In a statement Mr Blunkett said it took time to investigate members of loose-knit networks across international boundaries.

"To close in on terrorists, the police increasingly need to analyse complex material."

This often included international investigations and retrieving dangerous substances for forensic analysis, he said.

There seems to be no end to this government's tendency to rush through ever more draconian powers Mark Littlewood, Liberty

But he continued: "I recognise that this important power needs appropriate scrutiny, and only a court may grant an extension to the period of detention without charge."

The BBC's Danny Shaw says there are not many cases when suspects are detained for the full seven days - there were only 16 last year.

On identity fraud, Mr Blunkett said: "Passport and driving licence fraud are gateway offences to organised crime and terrorism.

"Our legislation must keep pace with increasingly sophisticated criminals and complex crimes."

Gimmick

Chief Constable Michael Hedges, who deals with terrorism and allied matters for ACPO, backed the proposals.

"Additional time to complete a thorough investigation will add significantly to our ability to protect the public from the enduring threat from terrorism, whilst respecting the rights of individuals."

But Mark Littlewood, campaign director of Liberty, called the move a "public relations gimmick" and branded it "ill-considered, unnecessary and politically motivated".

"There seems to be no end to this government's tendency to rush through ever more draconian powers in order to appear 'tough on terror'.

"There is precious little evidence to suggest that the present provisions, allowing for up to seven days detention without charge, are inadequate."