Police extend stop and search powers in Birmingham after surge in violence
West Midlands Police has extended stop and search powers in Birmingham after three teens were fatally stabbed in two weeks.
Officers can now stop anyone without reasonable grounds if they believe there is a risk of violence, under the Section 60 powers.
They have been brought in to combat a surge of knife crime, which has claimed the lives of two 16-year-olds and a 17-year-old.
The attacks were among 269 knife crimes recorded so far this year in the West Midlands.
Mr Thompson described this trend of violence as a 'crisis' as he and the police and crime commissioner, David Jamieson, addressed the media in a press conference yesterday.
West Midlands Police chief constable Dave Thompson says the powers will be in place for the foreseeable future.
More patrols will also be stepped up in some areas of Birmingham.
The powers were brought in on Wednesday, going overnight into Thursday. And they have been extended until 3am on Friday.
Meanwhile, a 16-year-old boy has been charged with murder after a teenager was fatally stabbed in the street.
