Extra stop and search powers given to police after knife attack at The Springs Retail Park, Leeds

On 09/12/2022, West Yorkshire Police were called to an incident at The Springs Retail Park – Colton after receiving reports of a man entering a shop armed with a knife.

The areas between H&M and JD Sports were cordoned off by Police after they found 2 men injured; one with stab wounds to his hands and face and the other with a serious head injury. Police enquiries into the incident are continuing.

As a result of this attack, Police authorised the continued use of Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 in an attempt to deter the carrying of weapons within East Leeds.

To authorise Section 60 ‘stop and searches’, a senior police officer must reasonably believe one or more of the following:

• Incidents involving serious violence may take place in the officer’s area – and authorisation will help to prevent them.
• An incident involving serious violence has taken place in the officer’s area and that a weapon used in the incident is being carried in the area – and authorisation will help to find the weapon.
• People are carrying weapons in the officer’s area without good reason.

Section 60 gives police officers the power to search people/vehicles for offensive weapons or dangerous instruments without the need to have their usual grounds to do so. This is different to a typical ‘stop and search’ as it means the police do not need to have ‘reasonable grounds’.

The temporary order issued by West Yorkshire Police includes local areas such as Harehills, East End Park, Whinmoor, Gipton, Temple Newsam Park and Colton. This order initially came into effect at 17:00 on Friday 9^th for 24 hours but was extended until 17:00 on Sunday 11^th.

Both victims of this recent attack are on the road to recovery. Luckily the stab wounds sustained by one victim were not considered to be life threatening and he is still currently in hospital being treated, whilst the other was released from hospital after receiving treatment for his head injury.

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) offer compensation to victims of violent attacks who have sustained both physical and psychological injuries as a result.

If you have sustained injuries as a result of an attack, if may be worth looking into this type of claim and your eligibility. Our CICA department at Oakwood Solicitors can provide free advice as to whether we can assist with a criminal injuries claim.

Further reading

To learn more about the Criminal Injury Compensation Authority, read our guide to the CICA here.

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