Anti-terrorism stop and searches rocket

LONDON (Reuters) - The number of people who were stopped and searched by police using counter-terrorism powers almost trebled last year, government figures showed on Thursday, prompting concern from opposition politicians.

Home Office statistics showed that there were 124,687 stop and searches under the Terrorism Act 2000 in 2007/8, up from just under 42,000 in 2006/7.

The vast bulk, almost 90 percent, occurred in the London area covered by the Metropolitan Police.

Of those stopped, 1,271 were arrested but only 73 were detained for terrorism offences.

"People will be highly suspicious about the scale of stop and search under terror laws," said Conservative home affairs spokesman Chris Grayling.

"This will only serve to reinforce the view that many anti-terror powers are being used for unrelated purposes."

In total, officers carried out 1,223,860 stop and searches in 2007/8, up 17 percent from the year before.

Of these, 53,250 were carried out "in anticipation of violence," an increase of 19 percent.

Home Office minister Vernon Coaker said stop and search was an important power for the police but added there was clear guidance and its use must be proportionate.

(Reporting by Michael Holden)