AN ORDER giving police additional stop and search powers has been extended today.
The Section 60 order, extended by an additional 24 hours, allows the Thames Valley Police to have the ability to stop and search anybody within a defined area with or without reasonable grounds to do so.
The order was granted following reports of significant disorder over the past two weekends, including pre-arranged fights with weapons within the areas of Crowthorne and Sandhurst.
ALSO READ: Thames Valley police issue three fines to travellers for failing to self-isolate on arrival
This is a map of the areas affected by the order:
The order may be extended again at the end of its current period.
Chief Superintendent Sarah Grahame, said: “We have extended this Section 60 order for another 24 hours and will keep it under review to decide whether it is necessary to remain in place beyond 2pm tomorrow.
“Under this order, officers have the powers to stop and search anybody within a defined area while it is activated, with or without reasonable grounds to do so.
“During the period that this order is in place, there will be a continued increased presence of uniformed police officers in these areas to provide reassurance.
“This order has been put in place to prevent such incidents from taking place, and so I hope that this does reassure the local community.
“Putting Section 60 orders in place is not something we do every day, and we do not take decisions to do so lightly.
“These orders exist to help the police prevent serious violence. Although this may sound concerning, the Section 60 is just one of many measures we can use in order to prevent incidents of violence.
“Please do not be worried if you are stopped by an officer. This does not mean you are in trouble.
"Please listen to and engage with our officers, and they will be happy to address any concerns that you have.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here