MORE than 30 people were stopped and searched during a 24 hour crime crackdown in Eastleigh, police have revealed.

It comes after police activated stop search powers following reports of a group of youths fighting with weapons in the town.

Officers say they stopped and searched 32 people across the day long period – which started at 5.30pm on Thursday night.

Police say one 16-year-old boy was arrested for being concerned in the supply class B drugs.

He was also arrested in connection with the violent disorder.

A 15-year-old boy was searched and found to be carrying a small amount of ketamine.

A 24-year-old man was found to be carrying cannabis and was given a community resolution. He has to attend a drugs diversion course.

A 15-year-old boy will be interviewed under caution after it was found he was in possession of cannabis.

Chief Inspector Darren Miller said: “This operation was in response to a disorder incident that had occurred the previous day.

"We have made several arrests in connection with the incident and the investigation is ongoing.

“While general stop and search is something our officers carry out as business as usual, a section 60 gives us enhanced powers.

"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 prevents further incidents of violent disorder from occurring and sends out a clear message to those carrying weapons that we won’t tolerate it in our town.

He added: “The feedback from members of the public has been really positive and we would like to say thank you members of community for the support they have shown us.

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

The stop and search powers were launched after reports of a group of youths fighting in the Chamberlayne Road and Grantham Road areas of the town.

On Wednesday night, officers arrested three teenagers in connection with the disorder, including two 16-year-old boys from Southampton.

They have been interviewed and bailed until December 18 with conditions, not to communicate with one another and not to enter Eastleigh town centre.

The third teenager, a 19-year-old woman, was released under investigation.