Police introduce stop and search powers around Heaton Park on second day of Parklife festival

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Police have introduced stop and search powers around Prestwich and Heaton Park on the second day of the Parklife festival. The section 60, which has granted officers extended powers to address 'the risk of serious violence or weapons', has not been implemented because of any specific incidents at the festival, police said.

The stop and search order will run from 5pm on Sunday (June 11) until 3am on Monday (June 12) to reassure those leaving the festival that they are safe as officers work with security teams. Join our WhatsApp Top Stories and Breaking News group by clicking this link. The news comes a day after 26 people were arrested by police on the first day of Parklife, with one knife also seized from a festival-goer.

The Manchester Evening News understands the stop and search powers are a preventative measure that will reassure both ticket holders and the local community as thousands leave the festival on Sunday night.

Superintendent Phil Spurgeon, one of the leads on the policing operation for Parklife, said: "I want to reassure the public that this section 60 authority has not been implemented because of any specific incident at the Parklife music festival. "We believe this section 60 order is however appropriate as a preventative measure to reassure those in the Heaton Park and Prestwich areas and to keep people safe. "We are continuing to work closely with the event organisers and their security teams, to ensure the safety of those attending.