Further police powers granted in Southport

Police have been given extra stop and search powers in Southport, following Tuesday's violent disorder.

The Section 60 Order was introduced at 6pm last night, and lasts until 6pm this evening, with extra officers on patrol in the area.

The Order, under S60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, gives officers enhanced powers to stop and search individuals in the area and is designed to minimise serious violence.

It comes as Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said he was "concerned" that there could be a repeat of the violence that followed the Southport stabbings.

Mr Rotheram told ITV's Good Morning Britain: "We're always concerned, aren't we, that there could be a repeat of violence somewhere in the Liverpool City Region."

He added: "I hope that there aren't further incidents - we're very much aware of them.

"I'm speaking to Serena Kennedy, who is the chief police officer in the Liverpool City Region, in Merseyside, on a regular basis.

"We've got the contingencies - we know exactly what we'd need to do to ensure that these things are nipped in the bud."

Violent disorder erupted on the streets of Southport on Tuesday night, following the deaths of three young girls in a knife attack nearby.

Axel Rudakubana, from Banks in Lancashire, is charged with the murder of Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, in Southport on Monday.

He is also charged with the attempted murder of yoga class instructor Leanne Lucas, businessman John Hayes and eight children, who cannot be named for legal reasons, as well as with possession of a kitchen knife with a curved blade.

Sir Keir Starmer announced a new "national" response to the violent disorder yesterday linking police forces across the country.