Police given new powers after men seen fighting with machetes in Leeds
The group were seen in Edgware Avenue in Harehills last night
West Yorkshire Police have brought in extra stop and search powers after masked men were seen fighting with machetes in an area of Leeds.
Officers were called to Edgware Avenue in Harehills just after 20:00 on Tuesday (August 23), although no suspects were found.
The men are believed to have run off towards Baywater and Harehills Road, and no one has been found with any injuries.
Detectives later recovered a samurai sword and a machete alongside suspected Class A drugs.
The use of a Section 60 order has now been brought in until 15:00 on Thursday, allowing officers to stop and search people without the usual grounds.
Superintendent Russ Hughes, of Leeds District, said: “While we have had no reports of any injuries resulting from this incident, it is clear there were a number of males fighting in the street with machetes.
“We are still carrying out enquiries to establish the circumstances and background to this incident but there are already indications that it may be linked to rival criminal groups involved in the street-level supply of Class A drugs.
“On behalf of the local community, we cannot tolerate violence of this nature which puts people at risk and causes understandable concern to the law-abiding majority."