Two arrested after city centre weapons incident

Two men have been arrested and one is in hospital with serious injuries after a disturbance involving about 30 people with weapons, police said.

Officers were called to Kirkgate in Wakefield following reports of an ongoing disturbance at about 19:00 on Friday.

The injured man remained in hospital, while the two men arrested on suspicion of affray were still in custody, West Yorkshire Police said.

Increased stop and search powers were in force around the city centre as investigations continued, police said.

Officers were increasing patrols in the area to "deter any further incidents and reassure the community".

Increased stop and search powers have been authorised by senior officers under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.

They give police permission to search people or vehicles for offensive weapons or dangerous instruments without requiring the grounds to suspect each person searched.

West Yorkshire Police said this was to "detect and deter the carrying of offensive weapons in the area and to prevent serious violence".

The order covers an area including Kirkgate Station, Wakefield College, Pinderfields Hospital and the Eastmoor estate.

It came into effect at 23:00 GMT for an initial 24 hours and would continue subject to regular reviews, police said.

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.