Bedfordshire Police has arrested two men and retrieved three knives following a fight among a large group of males in Bedford Park at 2.25pm today (Tuesday, 12 March).
In addition, the force has authorised a Section 60 order which means that until midnight tonight, officers have heightened powers allowing them to stop and search anyone in the prescribed area including:
- Park Avenue
- Clapham Road
- Manton Lane
- St Peters Street
- B660
- Brickhill Drive
An update on the Bedfordshire Police Facebook page said: “…we will continue to review the situation and reduce or further extend if necessary.”
After officers were called to the scene in Bedford Park they recovered two lock knives and a large machete.
As a result, two men were arrested on suspicion of being in possession of a bladed article and they remain in police custody for questioning.
Inspector Carl Perri from the Bedford Community Policing Team said: “While the authorisation of this power does not prevent the local community from continuing with their daily activities, we appreciate it may evoke some concern amongst residents.
“We would like to reassure the community that the aim of the Section 60 is to help us keep the public safe and we will use it appropriately to search anyone who deems it acceptable to cause harm or fear to others in relation to the earlier incident
“Subsequently, we have increased our presence in the area and would ask for members of the public to remain vigilant and report any concerns or suspicious behaviour to the police.
“I would urge anyone who witnessed the incident or the events leading up to it to get in touch. We would like to thank the residents of Bedford for their support.”
Anyone with information can report by calling 101 or via the online reporting centre at bedfordshire.police.uk/report, quoting reference 220 of 12 March.
Alternatively, you can call independent charity CrimeStoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
