Police in Greenwich and Lewisham have both been granted special stop and search powers after two separate stabbings on Sunday which left one man dead and another fighting for his life.
A Section 60 public order has been authorised across seven different wards in response to "recent violent crime" in Woolwich and New Cross, in force from 12 noon today (Monday, March 16) until 3am March 17.
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.
An 18-year-old man was fatally stabbed at around 3pm on Sunday, March 15 on Academy Road in Woolwich.
The teenage victim was found services in the Woolwich Common area, but despite the best efforts of passers-bys, police and paramedics, he died at the scene.
Hours later and just four miles away in New Cross, a 20-year-old man was stabbed on Friendly Street and is currently in hospital in critical condition.
Greenwich Police tweeted saying that in response to the Academy Road murder, a Section 60 had been granted for Woolwich Riverside, Woolwich Common, Shooters Hill and Kidbrooke with Hornfair.
Lewisham Police, responding to the violent crime in New Cross, said the search powers had been granted for Brockley, New Cross and Telegraph Hill.
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