Suffolk Police gets extra stop-and-search powers after group seen with weapons

Suffolk Police said a Section 60 order would be in place until 23:30 GMT on Sunday

Police have been granted temporary additional powers to stop and search people in Ipswich.

Suffolk Police said two Section 60 orders were in place after a group of about 10 teenagers were seen carrying weapons on Woodbridge Road East, heading towards Spring Road, at about 22:00 GMT on Saturday.

Three teenagers have since been arrested.

The orders are in place until 23:30 on Sunday.

It added that no injuries were reported, and the group had reportedly dispersed from the area before police officers arrived.

Firearms officers also attended.

The force said it later arrested two 17-year-old boys on suspicion of affray and possession of a knife, and a 14-year-old boy on suspicion of affray.

A Section 60 is in place in Ipswich until 23:30 GMT on Sunday

Officers have urged witnesses, anyone with CCTV footage, or anyone in the area at the time to contact them.

A Section 60 order gives officers the power to search people without reasonable grounds in a defined area for a limited amount of time and a Section 60AA order, which has also been granted and allows officers to ask a person to remove items they believe are being worn to conceal identity.