Police have been given extra powers in Woolwich today to help “prevent a repeat of what happened last year” in a horror Halloween.

A Section 60 order has been authorised and will be in place in Woolwich for 12 hours from 2pm today (October 31).

This means police can stop and search anyone within this area as do not need to have 'reasonable grounds' in order to search someone.

Woolwich has a history of antisocial behaviour around Halloween and Bonfire Night involving the misuse of fireworks.

General Gordon Square was closed last year after a series of disturbances including “hundreds of youths” throwing fireworks in the town centre, according to Safer Schools Sergeant Geoff Warren.

A police officer was injured in the 2021 chaos after teens threw the explosives towards buses and cars.

General Gordan Square in Woolwich has been sealed off again this year with metal fences to try and manage anti-social behaviour over Halloween and bonfire night.

Halloween 2020 saw similar scenes in Woolwich as large numbers gathered on the High Street and General Gordon Square, shooting fireworks at officers, members of the public, buses and flats.

Greenwich Police tweeted: “A section 60 has been authorised from 14:00 on 31st October in Woolwich for twelve hours.

“This is to help prevent a repeat of what happened last year.”

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