Leeds: Chapeltown attack on boys prompts extra search powers

Two 15-year-old boys were attacked on Louis Street, Chapeltown, on Tuesday, police say

Increased police stop and search powers have been temporarily introduced in part of Leeds after two teenage boys were seriously hurt in a street attack.

The 15-year-olds were targeted by "a group of males with weapons" in Louis Street, Chapeltown, at about 23:10 BST on Tuesday, West Yorkshire Police said.

One of those injured was left with a ball-bearing embedded in his hand after a weapon was fired, the force added.

Police said the new powers were in place to "prevent serious violence".

The order covers an area to the east of the A61 Scott Hall Road, including Chapeltown and parts of Chapel Allerton and Moortown.

It came into effect at 01:30 BST on Wednesday and would be reviewed after an initial 24 hours, according to police.

The area covered by the order is east of Scott Hall Road, including Chapeltown and parts of Chapel Allerton and Moortown

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

Patrols in the area had also been increased to deter any further incidents and reassure local residents, the force added.

Det Ch Insp James Entwistle, of West Yorkshire Police, said: "We believe the two males were attacked by a group of four to five males who decamped from what was described as a small, dark hatchback vehicle.

"We would appeal to anyone who saw a similar vehicle in the area at the time to contact us.

"One of the injured males had a ball-bearing embedded in his hand and our information suggests a discharge of a weapon occurred," Det Insp Entwistle added.

The increased stop and search powers will be reviewed after 24 hours, police say