A large section of Leyland town centre is being placed on lockdown during Sunday evening.

South Ribble Police have triggered a Section 34 order.

It follows a 16-year-old boy being stabbed in the thigh during Saturday (3 August).

The incident took place close to McDonalds in Leyland.

A couple of hours later another teenager received a cut to his hand in Moss Lane, near the Railway Inn.

Police have arrested an 18-year-old on suspicion of section 18 assault in connection with both incidents.

The dispersal order is in force from 6pm on Sunday (4 August) to 3am on Monday (5 August).

This gives police the power to ask people to leave the area shown in the map above.

Inspector Rachel Ashcroft said: “Luckily the two boys involved in these incidents were not seriously injured, however, this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated on our streets.

“Anti-social behaviour covers a range of offences and can involve harm to an individual, to the wider community or to the environment, leaving victims feeling harassed, alarmed or distressed.

“We understand that this can have a profound impact on victims and how safe they feel in their neighbourhood. We are committed to tackling this type of crime.”

Police are appealing for information and potential mobile phone footage of both incidents.

Anyone with information can call 101 quoting log number 39 of 4 August.

Or you can contact Crimestoppers and give information anonymously on 0800555111.

The use of the Section 34 order in Leyland follows the regular usage of them in Preston, along with Section 60 – stop and search – orders, following outbreaks of gang violence and violence between youths in the city.

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