Police in Cardiff have temporarily employed enhanced stop and search powers after reports of a group of young people carrying knives.
A teenage boy has reportedly been robbed by the group while officers are also investigating an alleged assault in the Canton area of the city, a South Wales Police spokesman said.
Witnesses have said the group have been carrying knives and police say “there is a real concern that this matter could escalate”.
As a result a Section 60 notice was put in place in the Canton, Riverside, and Grangetown areas between 8.02pm and 11pm on Wednesday.
“This decision has been taken after information has been provided of violent crimes having been committed by a group of young males in the Wells Street area of Canton,” a force spokesman said.
“One woman has reported that her teenage son has been a victim of a robbery by this group. Officers are also investigating reports of an assault in the area. Witnesses have described the group as carrying knives.”
Section 60 is aimed at preventing serious violence, locating dangerous instruments, and apprehending people carrying weapons.
The notice allows officers in uniform within those areas, under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994:
• to stop and search any pedestrian, or anything carried by them for offensive weapons or dangerous instruments without good reason, or
• to stop and search any vehicle, its driver and any passenger, for offensive weapons or dangerous instruments.
Last month a section 60 notice was issued for Canton, Grangetown, and Leckwith after two teenagers were arrested in relation to a stabbing in Canton on November 25.
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A 17-year-old boy from Grangetown was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and assault and a 15-year-old on suspicion of violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon.
The incident came after a violent outburst of disorder in Cardiff city centre just days before involving two groups of teenage boys.
Anyone with any information regarding a robbery, an assault, or persons carrying weapons is asked to contact police on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 08090 555111.
