01
Aug
Boy, 15, arrested and weapons seized in police 24-hour blitz in Harrogate and Knaresborough
Police have arrested a 15-year-old boy and seized three weapons since increasing their stop and search powers last night.
North Yorkshire Police said last night it had enacted section 60 powers under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act for a 24-hour period following a knife attack on Nidderdale Greenway last week.
It means officers can stop and search people without reasonable grounds of suspicion.
Section 60 powers can only be authorised when a senior police officer thinks serious violence may take place or has taken place and the searches will help to find the weapon. The same legislation was also implemented in Southport last night following Tuesday night’s violence that followed the stabbing to death of three girls.
Police also said they were engaging in more covert operations and increasing patrols for the 24-hour period.
In an update today, the constabulary said In connection with last week’s incident on the greenway a 15-year-old boy had been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder. He was interviewed and released on bail.
Officers added three dangerous weapons were seized, and "several" people were stopped and searched.
It is believed one of the weapons was seized on land off Roberts Crescent in Harrogate, as police were active in the area for several hours last night and told residents they had recovered an item.
Detective inspector Matt Wilkinson said:
Police in action last night
Police weapons raid in Harrogate and Knaresborough
The section 60 order was put in place following an incident where a 17-year-old boy was found with a laceration wound. This type of crime is thankfully rare in Harrogate and this why we have introduced these heightened measures.
We are committed to disrupting any criminal activity and removing drugs and dangerous weapons from the town.
We had extra officers on the ground to search any individuals or groups causing such issues, and to provide reassurance to residents living there. I would ask members of the public to remain vigilant and to come forward if you know anything about last week’s incident or see any suspicious activity.
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