Police authorised additional stop and search powers across Woolwich yesterday due to "increased tensions" between a number of groups in the area.

Greenwich Met Police Service authorised a Section 60 order, granting officers additional stop and search powers from 6pm on June 28 to 3am the next morning.

The order covered the Woolwich Riverside, Woolwich Common and Glyndon wards where officers are reportedly anticipating disorder.

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Glyndon and Greenwich Police say the decision to authorise the Section 60 order is based on "information about increased tensions between groups in the area."

This comes as reports emerge yesterday (June 29) of disorder in and around Woolwich High Street and Powis Street which led to police allegedly withdrawing their batons.

The Section 60 order gives police the right to search anyone in a defined area following an incident of serious violence, or when they believe serious violence will take place.