Police Section 60 authorised in Limeside and Failsworth following incident outside school

The Limeside Section 60 map. Images courtesy of GMP

A section 60 was authorised in two areas of Oldham, following reports of a disturbance outside a school in Brierley Avenue, Failsworth, at around 3pm on Friday.

Two males, aged 15 and 16, were subsequently arrested on suspicion of affray and possession of a bladed article.

Both have since been bailed.

Following the incident and further intelligence gathered within the community, a section 60 was authorised in the defined areas of Failsworth and Limeside.

Subsequently, a third male, aged 15, was arrested this morning on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and affray.

He remains in custody.

The Section 60 powers under the 1994 Criminal Justice and Public Order Act began last night and will continue over the weekend, concluding at 7.30pm today (Sunday).

The authority grants officers temporary extended powers to stop and search individuals within the areas.

Chief Inspector Abi Cronin, from GMP’s Oldham district, said: “Since the Section 60 was authorised last night, we have stop-searched 24 people and provided an increased presence in the Failsworth and Limeside areas.

“This was in response to reports of young people fighting on Friday - keeping our community safe is our number one priority and we will continue to regularly patrol the areas over the weekend.

“If you have any concerns, please do speak to an officer, as they will be able to provide you with reassurance and assistance with any queries you may have."

If you wish to report anything, you can do so by calling 101, visiting: gmp.police.uk, or calling the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.