NORTH Yorkshire Police was one of only four UK forces which authorised new anti-terror stop and search powers after a recent attack, it has been revealed.

Following the terror attack in Parsons Green tube station in London on September 15, the Government authorised new stop and search powers under the Terrorism Act which - for up to 28 days - gave police the power to “stop and search vehicles and their occupants, and pedestrians, for the prevention of terrorism”.

The Parsons Green attack saw a crude bomb exploded on a train at the station in south-west London during rush hour, injuring to 30 people.

The new powers were authorised locally in immediate response, however North Yorkshire Police said there had been no specific threat against the region.

Information released by the Home Office showed that only four forces had authorised their officers to carry out the searches - known as section 47a searches - North Yorkshire Police, British Transport Police, West Yorkshire Police and City of London Police.

While the powers were in place, there were 128 stops in the UK, 126 of which were conducted by British Transport Police, and four arrests. None of the stops or arrests were carried out by North Yorkshire Police officers.

A spokesman for the force said use of s47a had been authorised by one of the force’s assistant chief constables following the Parson’s Green attack, but “was limited to the A1237 at York as a general precaution due to York Minster being an iconic site”.

The spokesman said: “There was no specific threat.

“It was in place for around 25 minutes and there were no officers deployed, no stop-and-searches and no arrests as a result of this measure. The decision to use these powers is one that is not taken lightly. In this instance it was a time when the national threat level had been raised to its highest level of critical.”

In November, 12 large blocks of stone were installed around York Minster as part of a series of security measures to try and prevent future terror attacks.

The decision was made to strengthen security following advice from the national Counter Terrorism Unit, and the Dean of York, the Very Reverend Dr Vivienne Faull, said Chapter had been concerned about the potential vulnerability of the area around the Minster’s West End.

Speaking at the time, Superintendent Dave Hannan said some of the measures being used to protect the public would be “more visible than others, but the public shouldn’t be alarmed”.

Supt Hannan said: “The public should be reassured that our security measures are under constant review to make sure the people who live, visit and work here are safe and secure.

“We advise the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious behaviour or activity. In an emergency always call 999.”