NINE people were arrested and a knife confiscated after Basingstoke Police were given enhanced stop and search powers over the weekend.

Police were given Section 60 powers on Friday night after a spate of knifepoint robberies last week.

Over the course of the weekend, nine people were arrested, including seven in connection with a suspected robbery in Culver Road on Saturday evening.

This comes just a day after police announced that there had been "multiple residential burglaries" throughout Basingstoke on Saturday and into Sunday morning.

The incidents took place in areas right across the town, including Worcester Avenue, Deep Lane, Church Square, Holbein Close and the Co-op, in Linden Avenue.

A knife was also confiscated from a teenager in Buckskin Lane.

The man was stopped in the early hours on Sunday morning, and he was not arrested.

In a seperate incident, Hampshire Police arrested two teenagers from Hertfordshire on suspicion of drugs offences.

A 19-year-old and 17-year-old, both from Welwyn Garden City, were arrested after a vehicle was stopped in Joices Yard, Sarum Hill at around 6pm on Saturday.

A Hampshire Police statement read: "The 19-year-old was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

"The 17-year old was arrested on suspicion of possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply.

"Both have been released under investigation."

Basingstoke Police reaction

Neighbourhood Sergeant Trevor Taylor thanked the public for their support throughout the Section 60 period.

In a statement, he said: "The feedback from members of the public has been really positive and we would like to say thank you for everyone’s support.

"You are our eyes and ears in the community so if you see or hear anything suspicious, or if you have any concerns or issues, please do get in touch.

"This operation was in response to a number of knifepoint robberies that had occurred over the previous few days.

"While general stop and search is something our officers carry out as business as usual, this Section 60 gives us enhanced powers we have to gain higher authorisation for.

"It enables us to ring-fence a particular location and stop and search anyone within that defined area between the times given without the ‘reasonable grounds’ required in a normal stop and search.

"Publicity around this operation not only allows us to tell our community what we are doing and why – but also sends out a clear message to those carrying weapons and knives that we won’t tolerate it in our town."