Full Breakdown
Section 60 Stop-and-Search Order Extended in St Helens After Night-Time Disorder
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
Merseyside Police confirmed that the Section 60 stop-and-search order covering parts of St Helens has been extended from 2 p.m. on Saturday 26 September to 2 p.m. on Sunday 27 September. The order, which grants officers enhanced powers to stop and search for weapons, will be reviewed after the extension.
Background & Context
The extension follows a disturbance on Thursday 24 September, when officers responding to an unrelated call on St Helens Linkway encountered a group fighting with poles and bats. Six males aged 15-19 and two men aged 18 and 22 were arrested on suspicion of affray; the younger group also faced charges of possession of offensive weapons in a public place.
Merseyside Police also introduced a Section 34 dispersal order covering the same neighbourhood, remaining in force until 2 p.m. on 27 September. Both orders allow police to direct suspected individuals to leave the area and to conduct stop-and-search operations.
Timeline
- 24 September – Officers encounter the fight; eight arrests are made.
- 25 September – The Section 60 order comes into effect, set to expire at 2 p.m. on 26 September.
- 26 September – Police announce an extension to 2 p.m. on 27 September.
- 27 September – Review of both orders.
Data & Statistics
- Arrests: Eight men (six aged 15-19, two aged 18 and 22).
- Charges: Six on suspicion of affray and possession of offensive weapons; two on suspicion of affray only.
- Geographic scope: The Section 60 order covers a corridor that includes East Lancashire Road, Moss Bank Road, Carr Mill Road, Stanley Bank Way, Blackbrook Road, Fleet Lane, Broad Lane, Bold Lane, Travers Entry, Reginald Road, Mill Lane, Elton Head Road, Rainhill Road, Thatto Heath Road, Prescot Road, Westfield Street, Dentons Green Lane and Rainford Road. The dispersal zone is bounded by East Lancashire Road, Abbey Road, Hard Lane and Rainford.
Official Statements & Responses
Local Policing Inspector Paul Varley said the violence would not be tolerated and that the orders provide the powers needed to stop and search or disperse individuals who may cause further trouble. Police noted extra officers have been deployed to maintain a visible presence, reassure residents, and encourage the public to report offences. The force emphasized the measures are not intended to inconvenience ordinary community activity but to reduce the risk of serious violence.
Why It Matters / Impact
The extension gives officers legal authority to conduct proactive searches for weapons in a defined area, which police say is essential for preventing escalation of street violence. The dispersal order allows officers to remove individuals suspected of causing or likely to cause anti-social behaviour for up to 48 hours, aiming to deter further confrontations. Increased patrols are intended to reassure local residents and demonstrate a firm response to disorder.
What's Next
Both the Section 60 stop-and-search order and the Section 34 dispersal order are slated for review at 2 p.m. on 27 September. The outcome will determine whether the powers are retained, modified, or withdrawn, shaping future policing strategies in the St Helens area.