Police will have greater powers in Blackbird Leys this weekend, following a spike in violent incidents on the estate.

Thames Valley Police is putting the Section 35 dispersal order in place from 4pm today (June 17) until 7am on Sunday (June 19).

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The order comes following the stabbing of a 14-year-old boy near Gillians Park on Tuesday.

The Section 35 order gives police the power to move on anyone in the estate.

If they do not comply they could be arrested or their possessions seized.

The area included in the order is shown in the map below:

Oxford Mail:

What is a S35 Dispersal Order?

Police officers with the rank of inspector or above were given powers in the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to authorise a dispersal order under Section 35 of the law.

It is designed to prevent crime or anti-social behaviour and is often used in the wake of violence.

The orders last for no more than 48 hours and must apply to a strictly defined geographical area.

Police officers have the power to tell someone found within that area to move on - provided they are over 10-years-old and in a public place. They can also seize property from that person.

Anyone who fails to comply with the order could be arrested and, if convicted, receive a sentence of up to three months imprisonment.

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Read more from this author

This story was written by Sophie Perry. She joined the team in 2021 as a digital reporter.

You can get in touch with her by emailing: sophie.perry@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @itssophieperry

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