New push on terror detention limit

She said the arguments in favour of the move outweighed any potential damage to community relations.

She told a fringe meeting at the Labour Party conference in Bournemouth that she had ruled out extending the controversial measures to 90 days.

But she made clear that the time was right to look at increasing the maximum period of pre-charge detention because of the complexity of terror investigations.

The Home Secretary, addressing the meeting organised by human rights group Liberty, spoke of the importance of creating a firm set of controls on the way people were detained, with thorough oversight by judges and Parliament.

"The argument is that these things outweigh any potential disbenefit to our communities," said Ms Smith.

"The biggest cause of conflict in our communities would be the impact that another successful terrorist attack would have on those communities.

"We are not talking about a 90 day period, although I do believe it is right for Parliament to set a maximum time period for which somebody can be detained without charge. We are not arguing indefinite detention and no limit."

The Home Secretary told delegates that she believed the debate had progressed beyond discussion of the time limit itself, and should now be focused on the checks and balances introduced on the time limit.

She said it was vital that such issues were considered in detail and that a consensus was sought across the political spectrum rather than being forced to 'fast track' legislation in the wake of a new terror strike.