Kent Police misused their stop and search powers, it was revealed today.

An urgent review is underway after the Home Office confirmed the force was one of 14 that broke anti-terror rules.

It found thousands of people across the country were illegally stopped and searched by police. Officials are also examining 40 cases where police forces misapplied the Terrorism Act.

However Kent Police's breaches took place when the legislation was relatively new, in 2001, and concerned leaving the powers in place too long.

Kent Police's Assistant Chief Constable Andy Adams said: "The report refers to two occasions in 2001 when the authorisation for Section 44 (S44) of the Terrorism Act 2000 was exceeded by a maximum of 24 hours.

"Kent Police, among other forces, had misinterpreted the legislation in 2001.

"This has now been clarified and we have since complied fully with the requirements of the legislation.

"Our reports show that no one was stopped and searched under S44 during the exceeded period.

"The S44 stop and search authorisation is rarely used in Kent.

"Since the two occasions in 2001, authorisation to use S44 has been implemented six times.

"When considering the use of S44 we must balance the importance of protecting the county and combatting terrorism and its impact on the community the powers are intended to protect."

In January, Kent Police admitted some protesters at the climate camp near Kingsnorth Power Station were also unlawfully stopped and searched.

They were two children, who cannot be named, and veteran environmental campaigner Dave Morris, who attended the week-long protest near Hoo in 2008.

However, all three were searched under section 1 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, which requires officers to have "reasonable suspicion" that an individual is carrying prohibited weapons or articles that could be used for criminal damage.