A Section 60 police stop-and-search order is in place across Greenwich borough until 11pm.

The authority is for the area of Abbey Wood, Thamesmead, Charlton; Eltham North, Eltham South, Eltham West, Kidbrooke & Hornfair, Middle Park & Sutcliffe, Greenwich West, Greenwich Peninsula, Woolwich Common, Woolwich Riverside and Plumstead.

The power gives police the right to search people in a defined area during a specific time period when they believe serious violence will take place.

What is a Section 60?

A Section 60 gives the police permission to stop and search anyone they believe, with good reason, may commit a serious assault or someone they suspect to be carrying a dangerous weapon.

Officers say that supervision, scrutiny and accountability are seen as key factors to ensure the ‘trust and confidence’ of communities in the use of this power.

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The authorising officer must have reasonable grounds to implement the power and they must believe it is necessary to use this power.

An officer of superintendent rank will be responsible for overseeing the operational use of a Section 60, which will include informing relevant community members of the purpose and success of such an operation.

Even though a Section 60 has been authorised this evening, officers still have the option to use other search powers where reasonable grounds to search exist.