Section 60 Order introduced in Kirkby

A Section 60 Order has been introduced in Kirkby giving officers additional powers to search suspects following incidents of violence in the area.
 
The order is in place from 10:53pm last night (Wednesday 12 March) and will stay active until 10:52pm tomorrow night, Friday 14 March, to prevent further incidents of disorder and criminality. 
 
In the early hours of yesterday, a serious incident in Beattock Close resulted in two teenage boys being injured, and in three people being arrested. A fourth arrest has now been made, of a 13-year-old boy from Kirkby. He was arrested on suspicion of Section 18 wounding with intent and has been taken to a police station for questioning. 
 
The Order, under S60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, gives officers enhanced powers to stop and search individuals in the area and is designed to minimise serious violence. 
 
The area covered is shown on the map and encompasses the whole Kirkby area.
 
Knowsley Superintendent Karl Baldwin said: “We have introduced this Section 60 as an additional response to disrupt those who would look to commit acts of violence in our community. Increased numbers of officers will be in the area today and tonight to carry out this work, and we would encourage people to speak to us and pass on any information.
 
“This order will give us the powers needed to stop and search people in the area, and to tackle those who look to carry weapons or get involved in any criminality. Extra officers will be in the area to search any individuals or groups causing such issues, and to provide reassurance to the vast majority of law-abiding people in the community. 
 
“Such action isn’t about bothering anyone going about their daily business or preventing young people from meeting with friends. It’s simply about taking action to reduce violence and make sure that everyone can feel safe where they live. 
 
“I also want to reiterate my message from yesterday. Parents and guardians have a massive part to play in this, so please ensure that you know where young people in your care are, and who they are with, and raise any concerns with police or our partners in the local authority. Knife crime and violence destroy lives and we will do all we can to reduce this risk. 
 
“If you have any information about this particular incident or any crime issues affecting you in Kirkby, please come forward and help us make the community a safer place.”
 
Anyone with information about criminality and disorder is asked to DM @MerPolCC, message ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre on Facebook’.
 
You can also pass information anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Always call 999 if a crime is in progress.