Police in parts of Wandsworth have temporarily been given the power to stop and search anyone they please.

In a post on its Facebook account, police wrote that: "A Detective Inspector from a neighbouring command has authorised a Section 60 under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 for areas within Wandsworth and Lambeth.

"It covers the wards of Latchmere, Shaftesbury and Northcote."

When asked to clarify why exactly the Section 60 had been put in place, a spokesman for the Met said it was due to intelligence received around potential disorder in areas in Wandsworth and Lambeth.

A Section 60 gives police enhanced powers to stop and search anyone they believe may commit a serious assault or someone they suspect to be carrying a dangerous weapon

This means that from 3pm today (June 20), until 2am tomorrow morning (June 21), constables in uniform can use this power to stop and search anyone in the area specified, "specifically to prevent and detect the carrying of dangerous instruments or offensive weapons."