Following a stabbing last night, police officers have signed off special powers enabling police officers to stop and search anyone in Blackbird Leys until midday on Saturday.

What is a section 60 order?

The powers under section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act allow the police to stop and search someone without first having to have a ‘reasonable suspicion’ that they are carrying drugs, a weapon or stolen property.

An officer of the rank of inspector or above can authorise the section 60 searches in a particular geographical area for 24 hours at a time, but only if they believe that:

  1. Serious violence has already taken place in a particular area and by having the stop and search powers officers will be better placed to find the weapon or weapons used;
  2. Serious violence may take place in a particular area and the enhanced stop and search powers will prevent it happening;
  3. People are suspected to be carrying weapons in the area

 

The section 60 powers differ from police officers’ normal stop and search powers in one important way.

READ MORE: Live updates as police investigate Leys stabbing

Normally, the police must have ‘reasonable grounds’ to suspect that someone is carrying drugs, a weapon, stolen property or something else linked to criminal activity before they are allowed to stop and search them.

But when the section 60 powers have been signed off for a particular area, police officers don’t need to have ‘reasonable grounds’ to suspect someone of carrying drugs or weapons before stopping them.

Guidance published by the College of Policing says police officers also have the power to ‘require the removal of disguises’ like face masks when section 60 stop and searches have been authorised.

Oxford Mail:

Police tape at the scene of the latest stabbing in Oxford Picture: FRAN WAY

Why is this happening in Blackbird Leys?

A section 60 order was authorised at 1pm today. Broadly, it covers all of Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys – from Grenoble Road and Oxford Science Park in the south, the B480 Watlington Road to the east, and Sandy Lane West in the west.

It follows a stabbing in Mercury Road at 8.50pm. A man, 40s, suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries.

Supt Emma Garside said: “This order has been put in place following last night’s incident in the Mercury Road area of Oxford.

“This order is in place to ensure public safety, while also giving police extra power to search people who they think could be involved in violence, and to take weapons off the street.

“I understand that an order of this nature could cause concern, but whilst a Section 60 order may sound alarming, enhancing our stop and search powers provides us with another tactic to quickly identify and disrupt those carrying weapons.

READ MORE: Man stabbed 'multiple times' in Blackbird Leys

“If you are stopped by an officer, please do not be worried as this does not mean that you are in trouble. You will see more police officers in the area whilst the order is in place and we expect to carry out more stop and searches than usual.

“Officers who are out and about are there to reassure you as well as using their powers under Section 60 so please do stop and speak with them about any concerns that you have.

“We are continuing to appeal to anyone who has any information that may assist with our investigation into the assault, and would you to make contact with us either online or by calling 101 with reference number 43220085013.

“If you would prefer to remain anonymous, you can provide information to the independent charity Crimestoppers online or on 0800 555 111.”

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