Why were stop and search powers authorised for Undercliffe?

Senior officers at Bradford police authorised the use of Section 60 (S60) of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, which gives officers the right to search people or vehicles for offensive weapons in a defined area for a set period.

They were put in place in Undercliffe following an incident last night. 

Police at the scene (Image: Newsquest)

Officers were called at 8.50pm to several reports of a Shogun ramming another vehicle and then the occupants of the Shogun assaulting the driver of the other vehicle on Hustler Street/Quaker Street.

A man was taken to hospital with serious injuries to his leg.

Suspects made off prior to police arriving at the scene. 

What has West Yorkshire Police said? 

The force said in a statement: "Increased stop and search powers were put in place temporarily in the Undercliffe area of Bradford to prevent serious violence and keep communities safe following the incident. 

"From 11pm last night to 8am this morning there was 16 stop searches conducted.

"The Section 60 has since been withdrawn on review. 

Shards of glass on the ground (Image: Newsquest)

"Maintaining the trust and confidence of the community is vital and we are continuing to liaise with key community representatives, including the district's Independent Advisory Group, to ensure appropriate scrutiny and accountability around the use of this additional power."

When can this type of order be put in place?

• S60 gives police the right to search people in a defined area during a specific time period when they believe, with good reason, that: serious violence will take place and it is necessary to use this power to prevent such violence; or that a person is carrying a dangerous object or offensive weapon; or that an incident involving serious violence has taken place and a dangerous instrument or offensive weapon used in the incident is being carried in the locality.
• It is a unique power intended to prevent serious violence or offences involving the use of weapons or dangerous instruments being carried out and must only be applied where its use can be justified.
• It can only be used when the authorising officer reasonably believes that an incident involving serious violence will take place.
• They should only be used if necessary and not as a routine police tactic.

How long can it last for?

• An S60 can last for up to 15 hours and then be extended by nine hours i.e. up to a maximum of 24 hours.
• After that, a new authority should be considered.

How is the area determined?

• The area should not be any wider than is believed necessary to prevent the actual or anticipated violence.
• The nature/venue of the incident that has taken place/anticipated incident; the number of people who may be in the immediate area of that incident and their access to surrounding areas and the actual or anticipated level of violence should be taken into account.

Who can be searched?

• The selection of pedestrians and vehicles under S60 to be stopped and, if appropriate, searched should reflect an objective assessment of the nature of the incident or weapon in question, and the individuals and vehicles thought likely to be associated with that incident or those weapons.
• The powers must not be used to stop and search people and vehicles for reasons unconnected with the purpose of the authorisation.
• Once a S60 authorisation is in place, officers do not need to have suspicions about a particular individual prior to stopping them, though it is a requirement for an officer to explain to an individual who has been stopped that a Section 60 authorisation is in place and the nature of the power.

Has an S60 been put in place elsewhere in West Yorkshire?

It is quite rare to see such powers used, though they have been used before by West Yorkshire Police, in the Bradford district including in Holme Wood and Keighley. Areas of Leeds have also been subject to such powers.