Officers were called to an incident in Stretford on Saturday night
The areas covered by the section 60 authority(Image: GMP)
Police have been given increased stop and search powers in Stretford after reports of a man being chased by another man wielding a machete.
Officers were called to an incident on Marple Grove last night where several men were seen to be chasing another man and ‘attempting to attack him’.
The force said that ‘at least one person is believed to have been using a machete’. The man was not injured. Now Greater Manchester Police said a ‘section 60’ authority has come into force until 10pm tonight.
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The authority grants officers extended powers to stop and search individuals within a specified area of the town, and it means people can be stopped even if there is no suspicion a crime has occurred. A map of the area covered by the order has been released.
Greater Manchester Police said in a statement: “At around 8.45pm, officers responded to an incident on Marple Grove, in which several males were seen to be chasing a victim and attempting to attack him. At least one person is believed to have been using a machete.
“Thankfully, he escaped without injury. No arrests have been made and further enquiries are ongoing.
“Under a Section 60, officers have extra powers to stop and search people in the area defined above within the timeframe. A Section 60AA authority allows us to require people to remove face coverings used to disguise or conceal their appearance.
The areas covered by the section 60 authority(Image: GMP)
“The authority, which was granted at 10pm last night, will run for a 24-hour period until 10pm tonight (Sunday 9 August).
“The enforcement of the S60 has been granted as part of our response to keeping the community safe and preventing further incidents taking place. Officers will be increasing patrols in the area over the coming days. The authorisation will be reviewed throughout the day and extended if necessary.”
Chief Inspector Justin Woodward, from GMP’s Trafford district, said: “This order has been implemented to provide officers with extra powers to tackle these sort of vile actions, which will never be tolerated.
“This could have easily led to serious injury or worse, and it is right that our officers in the area have these powers to stop-search and ask people to remove face coverings. Ultimately, this is to deter and prevent any further criminality.
“You will see extra officers in the area and I would urge anyone with any information or issues to please get in touch with us.”