A large area of Penwortham and part of Broadgate has been placed on lockdown by police.

South Ribble Police have issued a Section 60 order for stop and search powers.

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It follows a fight involved 12 people in Liverpool Road, Penwortham, during Tuesday (26 March) afternoon.

Four people were arrested, including two 17-year-old youths for carring weapons.

The stop and search area runs from Broadgate through to Lower Penwortham.

Section 60 powers allow police to stop and search anyone without need for suspicion. The order is in force from 6pm on Tuesday night until 6am on Wednesday (26 March).

Chief Inspector Steven Sansbury said: “We are aware of the concern that this [incident] will have caused people and will continue to patrol the area.

“In addition, Section 60 powers have been put in place in the Broadgate and Lower Penwortham areas.

“This gives us the power to search people or vehicles without suspicion in those areas. Please be assured that it’s not about targeting people, but about making sure we do all we can to keep people safe. These powers will remain in place overnight.”

It’s the fourth time in recent weeks police have used Section 60 powers, following the stabbing of a 14-year-old boy in Fishwick.

Anyone with information about the Penwortham incident can contact police on 101 quoting incident reference 915.

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