Police impose rare stop and search order on large part of Milton Keynes to prevent 'serious violence' erupting

The rare move comes after a fight between six youths with weapons in Midsummer Arcade, Central Milton Keynes at around 7pm yesterday (Thurssday)

Within less than two hours, police bosses had authorised the Section 60 order on the city centre area, including the A5, H4 Danstead Way, V8 Marlborough Street and H6 Childs Way.

The order will apply until 4.36pm today (Friday) but can be extended if necessary. It is understood police will be looking for weapons.

Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 is different to normal stop and search procedures as it gives police the right to search people without reasonable grounds. This can only happen in a defined area at a specific time when a senior officer believes there is a possibility of serious violence, or weapons are involved.

During the altercation that sparked the order, a 19-year-old man sustained facial injuries and was taken to hospital. He has since been discharged.

One male involved was wearing a black puffer jacket, slim fitting black trousers with a white emblem on the thigh of the left leg, a dark coloured hooded top and dark trainers, say police.

Another male had dark curly hair, he was wearing a fur edged black hooded puffer jacket, slim fitting black trousers, black trainers and had a white plastic bag.

A third male was wearing a black puffer jacket, and a fourth male had short dark hair which was longer on top. He was wearing a black puffer jacket with silver sides, dark clothing underneath and a light coloured surgical mask.

The fifth was also wearing a black puffer jacket with a fur edged hood, black hooded top with the hood up and a black coloured face covering. He also has a rucksack on his back.

Inspector Phil Turner-Robson, of Milton Keynes police station, said: “A section 60 order has be authorised following this incident of public order, during which weapons were involved.

“Under this order, our officers have been given authority to use their powers under Section 60 to help the police prevent serious violence.

“Using these increased powers, officers are able to stop and search anybody within a defined area while it is in place, with or without reasonable grounds to do so.

“Please don’t be worried if you are stopped by an officer, as this does not mean you are in trouble.

“I understand this may cause concern in the local community, but this order is in place to prevent any further incidents of this nature and I would encourage you to speak to one of our officers with any concerns you may have.

“At this time we are also appealing for anyone who may have seen what happened to come forward. We are carrying out a thorough investigation and following a number of lines of enquiry we will be looking to speak to anyone involved in this incident.

“If you have CCTV, mobile phone or dash cam footage, we would ask that this is shared with us. Anyone with information should call 101 or make a report online quoting the reference number 43200429205.

“If you would prefer to make a report 100 per cent anonymously, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111”