Section 60 authorised in Leigh following a series of reports to police

Greater Manchester Police has this evening (Saturday 30 March 2024) authorised a Section 60 authority in the below defined area of Leigh.

The Section 60 powers under the 1994 Criminal Justice and Public Order Act will run from 7.45pm on Saturday 30 March 2024 to 10am on Sunday 31 March 2024.

The Section 60 authority grants officers extended powers to stop and search individuals within the area in the defined map which has been introduced following a number of incidents involving a number of reports from members of the public of males fighting with knives in the area of Glebe Street in Leigh.

At around 6.40pm tonight (Saturday 30 March 2024), GMP were called to reports of a disturbance on Glebe Street, Leigh. Upon attending the incident, officers moved quickly and detained a 26-year-old man on suspicion of threats with a bladed article and actual bodily harm. He remains in custody for questioning.

No injuries have been reported in relation to this incident.

Extensive investigation work is currently ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the reports and highly visible patrols will continue in order to provide reassurance within the community.

Detective Superintendent Gareth Jenkins said: Our priority is always to keep our communities safe and we believe that authorising this Section 60 is proportionate and necessary following the reports made to us earlier this evening.

“Extra patrol officers have been deployed around the local area both on foot and in patrol cars. If you have any concerns, our officers will be happy to provide reassurance and listen to any of your queries.

“Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact GMP on 101, quoting log number 2649 of 30/03/2024.”

Information can also be reported online or by using the LiveChat function at www.gmp.police.uk. If you can't report online, or to 101, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.