Harehills: Police extra stop and search powers extended after machete fight

Police were given additional powers after a disturbance in Edgware Avenue

A fight involving masked men armed with machetes has resulted in police being given enhanced stop and search powers.

West Yorkshire Police said armed officers were deployed to a disturbance in Edgware Avenue, Harehills, on Tuesday evening.

The men fled the scene but a machete, samurai sword and drugs were found.

A Section 60 order giving police extra stop and search powers was put in place until Thursday at 15:00 BST and has now been extended by 24 hours.

Police said it appeared the fight may be linked to rival drug gangs and they are still working to identify the people involved.

The extra powers mean officers can stop and search people or vehicles without needing the "usual grounds" to suspect the person searched.

Supt Russ Hughes from Leeds District said police have reviewed the situation and there "remains a clear basis for extending the use of those powers".

Map showing the area of Harehills covered by the order

Officers carried out 14 stop and searches overnight resulting in one man being arrested for possession of a machete and two kitchen knives as well as possession of crack cocaine and cannabis.

Two other people were found in possession of cannabis after being stopped.

Supt Hughes said: "The positive results from the proactive stop and searches carried out by officers over the last 24 hours illustrate how useful this tactic is in targeting those carrying weapons, with the aim of preventing any further serious violence."

Increased patrols are also taking place in the area to reassure residents.

A Section 60 order was also put in place for the Seacroft area after a man was seriously injured in a stabbing.

Officers said the Seacroft incident was believed to be linked to "criminal street gangs".

What is a Section 60 order?

• A small proportion of stop and searches can currently be carried out without requiring "reasonable grounds". These are called Section 60 orders

• A Section 60 can happen in a set area - usually a neighbourhood, or sometimes a whole borough - for a defined period of time

• Often this follows a violent incident, or if police expect a crime to take place