Firearm incidents prompt stop and searches

Police have been given heightened powers in Luton following several firearm incidents

Police have been carrying out stop and searches in a town after two firearms incidents.

Bedfordshire Police was called to incidents in Luton after reports of gunfire at Marsh Farm on Friday and Hockwell Ring on Sunday, where a teenager was arrested.

A Section 60 order, giving officers heightened powers to conduct stop and searches, has been put in place until 18:35 BST.

The order covers Barton Road, Sundon Road, Woodside Link, Poynters Road, Leagrave High Street, Bramingham Road, Icknield Way and the surrounding roads.

A second Section 60 order was put in place on Sunday night until Monday evening

On Friday, the force was called to reports of disorder between groups of men and the sound of gunfire at Marsh Farm just before 17:00.

A Section 60 was enforced until 11:00 on Saturday.

On Sunday, police said on social media officers had arrested a teenage boy on suspicion of firearms offences after receiving reports of a gun being fired in Hockwell Ring at about 13:40.

He was taken into police custody for questioning.

No injuries were reported before another Section 60 was put in place, which police said could be reduced or extended as officers reviewed the situation.

"The aim of the order is to help us keep the public safe," police said.

"We will use it proportionately and appropriately to search anyone in the area, utilising these powers to deter any further offences."