Southampton police given Section 60 authority

Officers in Southampton will be able to stop and search anyone in the area of Swaythling tonight (June 12) after Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 has been authorised.

Section 60 can be implemented in areas where either serious violence has occurred or police believe serious violence is about to occur and gives officers the power to stop and search anyone in a designated location, looking for offensive weapons or bladed articles

Officers patrolling the area are able to stop and search anyone while Section 60 is in use.

This power has been implemented following two incidents of serious violence in the area in the last two days.

On June 10 at 4.15pm we received a report that a group of young people were carrying weapons engaging in a large scale public order incident on Monks Way.

On June 11 between 3.30pm and 4pm two groups of young people were seen to be chasing each other near Cantell School carrying planks of wood.

We received a number of a calls from the public about these incidents and we are now responding to concerns raised by residents.

The threshold to implement a Section 60 power is very high and not used very often, but we have it has a tactic to keep communities safe.

If you live in this area and are concerned about this, or you witnessed these two incidents, please speak to us.

The section 60 will be reviewed at 11.59pm tonight.