A special emergency stop and search order by police has been extended for another 24 hours, after a series of crime in Bournemouth town centre.

Dorset Police announced the new order yesterday, allowing officers to stop and search the public without an explanation.

The section 60 order was initially put in place from 6pm Friday, August 11 until 6pm this evening.

However, Dorset Police have now announced that the order has been extended for another 24 hours, until 6pm Sunday, August 13.

This is the maximum amount of time the temporary order can be used under Government legislation.

Dorset Police have said that the emergency power has been implemented after a fatal stabbing in the area, recent incidents of violence and concern of further violence.

Bournemouth Echo:

Officers will be able to use the order while patrolling part of Bournemouth seafront, Bournemouth Lower Gardens and The Square.

Patrols will continue in the area as part of Dorset Police’s Op Fireglow and Op Nightjar, which aims to apprehend people looking to cause serious violence by carrying offensive weapons.

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Superintendent Ricky Dhanda said: “I have today authorised the extension of this power in order to allow our officers to search those who may be carrying weapons and go on to cause harm within our communities.

“I would like to reiterate that this power is a short-term preventative tactic to enable us to identify these individuals and keep people safe and forms part of a much wider partnership approach that is already underway to tackle serious violence, including visiting people known to vary knives, offering talks to schools and sharing information between agencies to identify possible young offenders early.”