Bletchley brawl: Police get extra powers across Milton Keynes

Police officers have been given extra stop and search powers across Milton Keynes following the 30 man brawl in Bletchley

A borough-wide stop and search order has been put in place following a mass brawl in a town.

Between 20 and 30 men armed with bricks and blades took part in the fight in Bletchley on Wednesday, with one man suffering minor injuries.

Thames Valley Police put a 24-hour stop and search order in place across Milton Keynes as a result.

It means officers can stop and search people within the borough "with or without reasonable grounds".

The Section 60 Stop and Search order covers the entire borough of Milton Keynes

The fight took place in Buckfast Play Park, Buckfast Avenue, Bletchley. Six men were arrested and a number of weapons seized.

The force called the brawl a "further incident of disorder in Milton Keynes" and said the order was in place to prevent any further violence.

A separate Section 60 was enforced on 20 June following an incident in Weavers Hill, Fullers Slade.

Two charges have been brought and two other arrests made in connection with that incident, but police said the two events were not being linked.

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Insp Kirsty Bishop said: "Unfortunately, once again, we have seen a significant incident of disorder in Milton Keynes this evening, and as a result, we have implemented a further Section 60 order.

"This order will be reviewed on Thursday and may be extended further if it is felt necessary and proportionate to do so.

"They are a valuable tool available to help police prevent further incidents of violence and disorder."

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