A small part of the Shotley peninsula has been included in an area where police have been granted additional powers to stop and search

Wherstead, and a small stretch of the B1456 going under the Orwell Bridge is included in the map where police will be operating a Section 60 notice.

The action follows reports of an assault between a group of teenagers in the town centre where a 17-year-old boy sustained stab wounds.

Part of Wherstead covered by Section 60 (Pictre credit: Peninsula Nub News)

Officers were called by the ambulance service at just after 9:50pm yesterday, Wednesday 20 July, to reports a teenager had been injured by a group of males carrying knives.

The attack occurred on Princes Street and is understood to have involved a group of males on bicycles. The victim was on foot and was reportedly chased from Silent Street, through Cromwell Square and Franciscan Way before he was stabbed in the legs and arms on Princes Street.

His injuries are described as superficial, and he is currently receiving treatment in hospital.

Police are continuing to make enquiries and additional visible patrols will be carried out in the area in a bid to offer reassurance to the local community. As a matter of precaution a Section 60 has been authorised, which is in place for a 24-hour period, until 10:55pm today (Thursday 21 July) and covers the majority of Ipswich. and onto the peninsula.

Police have additional powers for 24 hours

As part of the powers, officers will be allowed to stop and search without reasonable grounds, but where there is a risk of violence or a belief that weapons are being carried, within the area marked by on the attached map.

Officers are not treating this as a random attack and believe that the parties involved are known to each other. While there is no perceived risk to the wider public, there is an increased risk of violence between parties either directly involved/associated with the incident.

Any witnesses, or anyone with information about this incident, is asked to contact Suffolk Police, quoting reference: 37/46180/22.

Website – www.suffolk.police.uk/contact-us/existing-report-update

Phone – Call 101

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their online form: www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Please note in the event of an emergency you should always call 999

• Section 60 Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994:

Section 60 Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (s.60) gives police the right to search people in a defined area during a specific time period when they believe, with good reason, that: serious violence will take place and it is necessary to use this power to prevent such violence; or that a person is carrying a dangerous object or offensive weapon; or that an incident involving serious violence has taken place and a dangerous instrument or offensive weapon used in the incident is being carried in the locality.