Series of violent incidents in Cheltenham leads to enhanced police powers

An order has been put in place to give police enhanced powers to stop and search following a series of violent incidents in Cheltenham over the weekend.

It is believed that there is an ongoing feud which involves two groups of people. It is suspected to relate to an incident in Hudson Street last week where a weapon was discharged and four men were arrested.

An authorisation has been made under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act.

This gives officers the right to stop and search any person or vehicle within a designated area during a time period when they believe that; serious violence may take place and it is necessary to use this power to prevent such violence; or that a person is carrying a dangerous object or offensive weapon; or that an incident involving serious violence has taken place and a dangerous instrument or offensive weapon used in the incident is being carried in the locality.

This authorisation has been given in order to prevent further violence from taking place, and has been in place since 2.30pm yesterday, Sunday 23 June.

It lasts 24 hours and has been extended for another 24 hours. Further powers can be used if required.

The area it covers is St Paul's, The Moors, Hester's Way, St Marks and Pittville areas of Cheltenham.

Incidents which have happened this weekend have predominantly been in the areas of St Paul's and Hester's Way.

They have included criminal damage, reports of people seen with knives, fights taking place and threats of violence being made against people and property. No injuries have been reported to police at this time.

In several incidents those involved were using electric bikes and scooters, with some of them wearing face coverings.

There was also an incident on Shannon Way near Ashchurch, Tewkesbury on Saturday which is believed to be related.

Arrests were made after two vehicles rammed another vehicle in a car park and people then fled the scene.

Supt Emma MacDonald said: "We appreciate that this series of incidents is unsettling for members of the local community and there will be increased police activity in the area.

"Our understanding is that there is an ongoing feud involving two groups, and this order gives us increased grounds to search people and vehicles, and try and bring a stop to what is happening.

"This violent criminality is unacceptable and it will not be tolerated. We have already made several arrests with investigations ongoing, and we will take robust action against those involved.

"We would encourage anyone who has footage of the incidents, including of the vehicles being used, to please contact us. If you can see a crime in progress or suspicious activity taking place, call police on 999."

Information can be provided to police online by completing the following form and quoting incident 304 of 23 June: https://www.glouestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/

Alternatively you can call police on 101 or give information anonymously to the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or online at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/