Greater Manchester Police authorise a section 60 authority for the Heaton Park and Prestwich areas

Greater Manchester Police has authorised a short-term section 60 authority for the Heaton Park and Prestwich areas of Greater Manchester. 

It will run from 5pm today (Sunday 11 June 2023) and will end at 3am tomorrow (Monday 12 June 2023).

A section 60 authority grants officers temporary extended stop and search powers in a given area (see the map below for the defined area). 

The section 60 has been introduced temporarily to give officers additional tools and powers to address the risk of serious violence or weapons.

Superintendent Phil Spurgeon, one of the leads on the policing operation for Parklife, said: "I want to reassure the public that this section 60 authority has not been implemented because of any specific incident at the Parklife music festival. 

"We believe this section 60 order is however appropriate as a preventative measure to reassure those in the Heaton Park and Prestwich areas and to keep people safe.

"We are continuing to work closely with the event organisers and their security teams, to ensure the safety of those attending. There will be a visible police presence out tonight as there always is for Parklife to offer reassurances and deter any criminality."

If you have any concerns, or you wish to report a crime, you can contact police online via www.gmp.police.uk or by calling 101. Always dial 999 in an emergency.

Details can also be passed to the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.