Letter: Checking the power of road blocks

Sir: However strong one's commitment to the suppression of terrorism, I believe it is important for society to question the legitimacy of random road checks to achieve this.

The power is derived from the Police and Criminal Evidence Act and though its precise ambit has yet to be tested by the courts, I believe it is very doubtful that it stretches to the general threat of terrorism as opposed to suspicion of an imminent specific crime - if I am wrong, this power has in reality no boundaries as the threat of terrorism is pervasive and the road block may hence be justified virtually any time and anywhere.

It may be that such a power is necessary and warranted - if so, it should be debated and expressly enacted rather than rest upon tacit acquiescence.

Yours faithfully,

DAVID JANES

London, W1