South Wales Police to get greater stop and search powers to tackle knife crime

More police officers in Wales are being given greater stop and search powers it has been announced.

The UK Government says the move is part of its continued action to tackle knife crime and that the move "empowers officers to stop and search anyone in a designated area without needing reasonable grounds for suspicion if serious violence is anticipated."

South Wales Police is among seven police forces in the UK to see the change, which will run for up to a year.

The force area - which recently received part of £100m additional funds - accounts for nearly 2 per cent of knife crime nationallyand nearly 3 per cent of all serious violent crime.

The Prime Minister will hold a summit on serious youth violence in Downing Street on Monday.