Section 60 Summaries

Warrington LPU – June 2023

A Section 60 Authority was authorised by T/CI Rob McLoughlin between 3:53pm on Thursday 15th June and 3:45am on Friday 16th June. The authority was in place within a defined area, encompassing Gregory Close and the wider Whittle Hall ward of Warrington.

The authority was granted following reports received from members of the public that a large congregation of youths were sighted in the area causing alarm to residents. The youths were believed to be carrying weapons including knives.

As a result of the authorisation, extra Police resources were deployed to the area – resulting in 26 searches – where cannabis was recovered from 1 youth. No weapons were seized and no arrests were made.

There were no additional reports made to Police of a similar nature whilst the S60 authorisation was in place. The authorisation was publicised on social media and no wider community concerns were raised.

 

Chester LPU March 2023

The section 60 was authorised by Superintendent Andy Blizard and was in place over a 7-hour period between 11:00hrs on the 4th March 2023 and 18:00hrs on the 4th March 2023. The area covered was Chester City Centre as defined by the attached Map and referred to as the S35 Dispersal Area.

This was in response to intelligence that serious violence may occur between Chester FC and Banbury Utd fans following recent disorder at several recent away matches involving supporters. Weapons and Pyrotechnics had been used and the section 60 was put in place to address these issues and to provide a high visibility policing approach to reduce the likelihood of serious violence taking place.

Within the authorisation, extra Police resources were deployed in the area as part of the operation plan resulting in a total of 3 individuals searched between the periods of when the Section 60 was authorised.  With the increased communications around this legislation it is believed that this resulted in fewer numbers of away fans attending.  Due to this searching was directed towards supporters once identified.

 

Ellesmere Port LPU February 2023

At 16.40hrs on Wednesday 8th February 2023, the first of a series of knife point robberies occurred in Ellesmere port. Over the course of the following four hours a further three robberies and attempt robberies took place with a total of six victims, all of whom were aged between twelve and fifteen years of age. They had been in different groups in the general areas of Westminster Estate and Town Centre.

Descriptions of the suspect in each scenario indicated that the crimes had been committed by a single offender who was targeting young people.

One of the many investigative measures taken by the police was to use Section 60 Stop and Search powers to assist in locating the knife and identify the suspect.

At 15.00hrs on the 9th February 2023, Chief Inspector Moss authorised the use of S60 for a period of 24 hours.

The major concern at the time of authorisation was there remained a significant threat to young people in the Ellesmere Port area from an unknown, armed, offender.

Following the authority, police resources were deployed to the area defined by the attached map and described in the authority.

There followed thirteen Stop Searches using this power over the course of the 24 hour period.

Anecdotal evidence from comments made to officers and on line via Social Media indicated that the use of the power was well received locally, strongly indicating the community felt safer with the police using this particular power.

Further information regarding the identity of the suspect was received which meant on the following day Friday 10th February 2023, officers patrolling within the defined S60 area noticed a male fitting the description of the offender. They were able to stop the male. Satisfied that he was the offender, he was arrested for Robbery.

He was subsequently charged and remanded on all counts.

 

Crewe LPU - November 2020

The section 60 was authorised by Inspector Nick Rogers and was in place over a 24 hour period between 15:00hrs on the 21st November to 15:00hrs on the 22nd November 2020. The area covered was Claughton Avenue and the Brook House Estate area of Crewe.

This was in response to incidents of serious violence where weapons were utilised on a number of occasions and the section 60 was put in place to address these issues and to provide a high visibility policing approach whilst reassuring the residents on the estate.

As result of the authorisation, extra Police resources were deployed to the area, resulting in a total of 9 individuals and 1 vehicle search between the periods of when the Section 60 was authorised. There has been 2 individuals dealt with for possession of drug offences.

The authorisation was publicised on social media and received very few comments and none relating to the implementation of the section 60.

 

Northwich LPU – October 2020

A section 60 Authority was authorised by T/Inspector Mark Woolam between 5:20pm on Friday 30th October and 03:00am on Saturday 31st October within a defined area encompassing the Over St John estate and Mount Pleasant estate, in the Winsford area.

The authority was granted after intelligence was received that there was a pre-arranged fight arranged at 7:00pm on the estates between youths, who were believed to be carrying weapons, including knives.
As result of the authorisation, extra Police resources were deployed to the area, resulting in 13 searches where cannabis was recovered on 2 youths. No weapons were seized or no arrests were made.

The night of the authorisation coincided with Halloween and Bonfire season, Op Treacle, where we traditionally see a significant rise in demand on Police resources. The implementation of the S60 authorisation and increased Police presence resulted in a significant reduction in the expected number of incidents experienced in previous years during Op Treacle.

The authorisation was publicised on social media and received very few comments and none relating to the implementation of the section 60.

 

Warrington – March 2020

The S60 was authorised by Insp Ruth Atherton and was in place over a 24 hour period between 16:00 on the 8th to 16:00 on the 9th March. The area covered the entire town centre specifically Winwick Road, Winwick Street, Orford Lane plus the residential area of Bewsey, specifically Lovely Lane, Folly Lane, Longshaw Street, Haryngton Avenue and Calgarth Avenue.

This was in response to incidents of serious violence where weapons were utilised over the preceding weekend at Lovely Lane, Orford Lane, Winwick Road and Calgarth Avenue will a belief this would be repeated again during the time of the section 60 authority.

Robust, professional action was undertaken and approximately 45 stop searches were conducted. A number of drugs cash was seized together with arrests some connected to the section 60 and other not. This has also lead to a closure order of a residential property, which has reduced the threat to the local community.

To conclude members of the public who witnessed some of the searches taking place expressed their support for the action taken by the Police and a serious violent incident was avoided.

 

Macclesfield LPU – March 2020

Section 60 authorisation by Inspector Gouck between 1500 hours 01/03/2020 until 0100 02/03/2020 in Macclesfield Town Centre. This was run in parallel with a dispersal authority under s34 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

The grounds for this authority related to intelligence that a fight involving weapons was due to take place on the afternoon of Sunday 1st March between youths from Macclesfield and Manchester.

The authority was publicised through social media channels in advance and elected representatives informed.

During the authorisation period, patrols policing the authorisation encountered young people who had knowledge of the fight. No disorder took place and no searches were required.

Feedback from the public on social media was mixed in terms of positive and negative. The negative comments were around the perception that publicising the authority was tipping off potential offenders. Other members of the public were understanding of the overarching aim of preventing any disorder taking place.

Crewe LPU – November 2019

Section 60 authorisation by Chief Inspector Newell between 1900 hours 08/11/2019 until 0400 09/11/2019 and a further authority 1900hrs 09/11/2019 until 0400hrs 10/11/2019 within the defined area around Nantwich Road, Crewe.

The grounds for these authorities was recent violent crimes committed at a similar time and day together with intelligence of people carrying weapons.

Overnight between 8th and 9th November 2019 there were 28 stop searches conducted within the S.60 area. No knives or weapons recovered, or arrests made directly linked to the searches. However, there was a violent incident on the outskirts of the defined area, two people were arrested for public order offences and assault Police.

Overnight between 10th and 11th November 2019 there were 20 stop searches were conducted, no arrests were made.

During the authorisation periods, the impact on the community was continually assessed. Social Media was kept up to date with awareness messages to the public and posts were monitored. The overall feedback from the public was positive.

Crewe LPU – September 2019

A Section 60 authority was granted by Superintendent Debbie Hooper for the period 20/09/19 1700hrs - 0100hrs 21/09/2019 for Sandbach Town centre and the area adjacent to Sandbach train station.

The authority was granted following the receipt of credible intelligence that a number of groups of youths were planning to congregate at the Wakes fair over the weekend period with an intention of fighting.

Prior to this authority being granted , Inspector Penny Jones had authorised a Dispersal Authority Section ( 34 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014); a youth was arrested following being issued with a dispersal notice being issued to him.

40 searches were carried out and a further 19 individuals were stopped but not searched. No weapons were seized.

 

Widnes LPU – August 2019

Section 60 Authority granted by Inspector Chadwick between 07:30 14/08/2019 and until 07:30 15/08/2019 24 hours. This area was detailed in a map but was an area encompassing the HAMMER and PINCERS public house in Widnes. The grounds for authorising these powers were due to incidents of violence which had already occurred and intelligence relating to people carrying knives in this area.

A total of 26 searches were conducted under this Section 60 authorisation. One person was arrest and charged with an offence. One cannabis caution was issued.

The section 60 authority was well advertised, with the map of the affected area, this was done through local social media including a radio interview . Using this pro-active approach resulted in less weapons being carried during this period and that it contributed to a lower level of incidents in the Widnes area