Increased stop and search powers are to be kept in place in Harehills for another day in a bid to tackle increased knife crime.
An order covering the area was put in place yesterday (Wednesday, August 24) to prevent serious violence and keep communities safe following a horrifying incident involving men armed with machetes in Edgeware Avenue on Tuesday night.
A witness reported hearing a loud bang. Armed officers were sent to the scene and confirmed the noise was from a window being broken by a brick. The males ran off towards Bayswater Road and Harehills Road. Officers searched the area but no suspects were found and no-one had suffered any injuries.
Read More: Machete gang chaos in Harehills as police get tough new powers in area after terrifying brawl
Officers recovered a machete and samurai sword from the vicinity along with a bag of what was believed to be Class A drugs. The fight came under investigation by Leeds District CID and senior officers increased patrols to reassure residents.
The area covered by the increased powers is Bayswater and Edgeware opposite the hospital and up to Garthorne Terrace. The area increases to Markham Avenue down to Harehills Corner and down Harehills lane.
The authorisation came into effect at 3pm yesterday for an initial 24 hours. A 24-hour extension has been authorised today until 3pm tomorrow and will be subject to further review.
Officers patrolling the area carried out a total of 14 stop and searches under Section 60 overnight which resulted in a man being arrested and charged with possession of a machete and two kitchen knives as well as possession of crack cocaine and cannabis. Two other people were dealt with for cannabis possession after being stopped and searched under the same powers.
Officers from the Force’s Operation Jemlock initiative, which targets violent crime and knife crime, will be continuing to support district colleagues with increased patrols of the area.
Superintendent Russ Hughes, of Leeds District, said: “After comprehensively reviewing the need for continued use of Section 60 in Harehills, we have assessed that there remains a clear basis for extending the use of those powers for a further 24 hours.
“The positive results from the proactive stop and searches carried out by officers over the last 24 hours illustrate how useful this tactic is in targeting those carrying weapons, with the aim of preventing any further serious violence.
“The feedback we are getting through our local neighbourhood policing teams is that the community is widely supportive of this work, and we will be continuing to work closely with local representatives to ensure openness and accountability.”
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