Police in North Manchester have implemented another Section 60 stop and search authority in the Harpurhey area

GMP have this evening put a Section 60 authority – which allows police to stop and search vehicles to prevent serious violence, find weapons or apprehend those suspected of carrying weapons – in place until approximately 4.15pm tomorrow (Thursday 16 March 2023).

This move comes following an incident earlier this afternoon, in which a group of six males had been fighting on Tavistock Square. It is believed a number of them were armed with machetes.

This incident follows a large disturbance outside a public house on Glendower Drive in Harpurhey on Sunday 12 March 2023, in which a firearm was discharged and a man received serious injuries from a large knife. As a result of Sunday night’s incident, a S60 was implemented and ended at 9pm last night.

Police currently believe that these two incidents are linked.

Inspector Derek Quinn of Harpurhey, Charlestown and Moston Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “These violent outbursts by certain individuals in the area will not be tolerated. There has already been someone who has sustained serious injuries caused by a knife and we don’t want this, or anything worse, to happen to anyone else.

“We have initiated a further S60 and would like to reassure members of the local community that we will also be increasing patrols to try and prevent any further violence.

“We are also appealing to anyone who may have any CCTV, dashcam and doorbell footage of these incidents to come forward. You can contact us via 101, through the use of the Live Chat function on our website www.gmp.police.uk or anonymously through the independent charity – Crimestoppers – on 0800 555 111.”