POLICE searches under controversial anti-terror laws have soared 2,400 per cent in Hampshire, the Daily Echo can reveal.

Officers carried out 294 stop and searches of people and vehicles under the Terrorism Act in 2002-03, the last year figures are available. This compares to just 12 searches in 2001-02 - an increase of 282.

It means Hampshire police stopped more suspects than all but seven of Britain's 43 constabularies. Under Section 44 of the Act, police can stop and search people and vehicles for articles which could be used for terrorism.

But unlike other stop-and-search powers, they can be used even if the police have no grounds for suspicion. Government ministers insisted the searches - which must be authorised by a senior police chief - are being used properly. But concerned civil liberties campaigners fear Section 44 is being misused. Home Office figures show stop-and-searches using new powers increased from 10,186 in 2001-02 to 32,087 in 2002-03.

Home Secretary David Blunkett said: "The decision to authorise the use of the powers is made against the background of the current threat level and the assessment of the risk to any designated area.

"The increase in stop-and-searches could be attributed to an increase in security since the September 11 atrocities.

Julian Lewis, Conservative MP for New Forest East, pledged to table Parliamentary questions to discover why the number of searches in Hampshire rose so steeply. He also wants to know if there had been subsequent arrests and charges and, if so, how many were terrorist-related. Dr Lewis said: "This is clearly a major increase in the number of stop-and-search episodes under the legislation. While I support the police having these powers, it is important that they are exercised properly."

Southampton Itchen MP John Denham said the Commons' home affairs select committee, which he chairs, might decide to investigate the rise and why there appear to be striking variations in how different police forces used Section 44.

The ex-Labour minister said: "Most members of the public understand the terrorist threat and are happy to go along with things they might not have put up with in the past."

Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Mark Oaten, who represents Winchester, said: "This is a surprising increase for an area like Hampshire, which is largely rural

"I hope the police are very careful when using the powers that Section 44 allows."