Extra search powers for police after boy attacked

Police at the scene in Bilton on 24 July after a teenager was found injured

Police have been given enhanced stop-and-search powers after a teenager was injured in a "violent attack" in Harrogate.

The boy, aged 17, was found with "lacerations" believed to have been caused by a blade near the Nidd Viaduct in Bilton last Wednesday, North Yorkshire Police said.

His injuries were not believed to be life-threatening and four youths aged 15 to 17 have since been arrested.

A Section 60 order is in place across Harrogate and Knaresborough until Friday evening as part of an "intense operation to take weapons and drugs off the streets", police said.

There will also be an increased police presence across the area.

The Section 60 order gives officers the power to search people or vehicles for offensive weapons or dangerous instruments without having their usual grounds to suspect each person searched.

Det Ch Insp Matthew Wilkinson said he hoped the police's response to the Nidd Viaduct incident would make Harrogate residents feel safe.

He said: “This is a robust approach, but we’re making no apologies for that – we want to keep North Yorkshire safe, and we know we have the backing of residents who don’t want weapons or drugs in their communities.

"We want North Yorkshire to be a no-go area for anyone carrying weapons or dealing in drugs."

Anyone with information about the Nidd Viaduct incident is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police.

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The map shows the order covers Harrogate and Knaresborough