Appeal for witnesses to public disorder incident – High Wycombe

Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses to a public disorder incident in High Wycombe yesterday (1/3).

Eight men were involved in the disorder in the Rutland Avenue and Spearing Road area at around 5.20pm.

We arrested five men aged from 19 to 30 on suspicion of affray. Three of them required hospital treatment for serious but not life-threatening injuries; two with stab wounds and the other is believed to have been hit by a car.

One of the men who were stabbed has been discharged from hospital and taken into police custody, where he has been released on police bail, along with the other two suspects.

A Section 60 order was enacted in the Castlefield area, shown in the map below, at 7pm to prevent further violence. The order temporarily enhances powers for officers, meaning they can stop and search anyone in a designated area, shown on the map below.

The order, initially in place for 24 hours, will be extended for a further 24 hours so is due to expire at 7pm tomorrow (3/3).

Detective Inspector Luke Pratt said: “We understand this disorder may be concerning for the community but we believe those involved were known to each other and we have do not believe there is any threat to the wider public.

“Nevertheless, we have put a Section 60 order in place and increased patrols in the area, as well as continued to investigate the incident as a priority, making five arrests so far.

“I am appealing for any witnesses, anyone with information and anyone with footage or images relating to the disorder to please come forward.

“Please either call 101 or make a report on our website, quoting reference number 43250101777.

“Alternatively, you can provide information anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or via its website.

“The Section 60 order will give our officers extra powers to carry out stop and search activity, and has been enacted for the safety of the public.

“These are emergency powers and the threshold to implement them is very high, however we are using them to keep our communities safe.

“People will have seen more police officers in the Castlefield area and we expect to carry out more stop and searches than usual.

“If you are stopped by an officer, please do not be worried as this does not mean that you are in trouble.

“If you are in the area and have any concerns, you can speak to any of our uniformed officers.

“We would like to thank the public for their patience yesterday and today while we have been at the scene. We expect to stand down our scenewatch soon.”

JD

Notes to editors:

We have arrested:

• A 19-year-old man from High Wycombe on suspicion of affray. He has been released on police bail until 25 May.
• A 26-year-old man from High Wycombe on suspicion of affray. He was taken to hospital with serious but not life-threatening stab wounds, where he remains in a stable condition.
• A 26-year-old man from High Wycombe on suspicion of affray. He was taken to hospital with serious but not life-threatening stab wounds but was discharged into police custody. He has been released on police bail until 29 May.
• A 28-year-old man from High Wycombe on suspicion of affray. He was street bailed and taken to hospital with a serious but not life-threatening leg injury after it is believed he was hit by a car, where he remains in a stable condition.
• A 30-year-old man from High Wycombe on suspicion of affray. He has been released on police bail until 24 May.