INCREASED stop and search powers have been put in place temporarily in areas of a West Yorkshire town following the fatal stabbing of a teenage boy outside a school.

Senior officers at Huddersfield have authorised the use of Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 to detect and deter the carrying of offensive weapons in parts of the town.

Back in July, the powers were used in Holme Wood and they have in the past also come into effect in Keighley and the Burmantofts area of Leeds.

It follows two recent incidents involving knives, with the fatal stabbing of Khayri Mclean last week and three more young people located and arrested in the Woodhouse Hill area yesterday whilst carrying weapons.

Two males appeared in court earlier today after being charged with the murder of Khayri Mclean. The three males arrested yesterday have been charged with possession of offensive weapons and remain in custody at this time.

The temporary powers have been put in place in the town centre, Ashbrow, and Fartown areas of Huddersfield.

The order came into effect at 5.30pm on Monday for an initial 15 hours, and its continuation will be subject to regular reviews. 

It gives police officers the power to search people or vehicles for offensive weapons or dangerous instruments without them having to have their usual grounds to suspect each person searched. 

Inspector Graham Dyson of the Huddersfield Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “This order has been put in place due to concerns after the recent violent incidents in Huddersfield.

“These additional search powers give officers an increased ability to stop those involved in carrying weapons.

“This is about disrupting, deterring and bringing to justice those who involve themselves in this type of criminal behaviour. 

“Officers from the local neighbourhood policing team also continue to carry out increased patrols in the area to deter any further incidents and reassure the wider community.”