POLICE performed 45 stop and searches in a crackdown after two stabbings on Winwick Road on Friday night.
And one suspected drug dealer has been charged after he was caught with a quantity of class A drugs by officers.
Cheshire Police were given additional powers to stop and search any member of the public they suspect of carrying a weapon in response to the unrelated incidents in Brickfields Park and outside the McDonald’s restaurant.
Winwick Road was closed after the first stabbing on Friday night
A 24-year-old man was attacked by two knifemen as he was walking through the park, off Orford Lane, with his partner at around 9pm on March 6.
He was rushed to Aintree Hospital after suffering serious injuries, but discharged himself on Monday.
Police on Brickfields Park on Saturday morning
Hours later, a second attack took place shortly before 3.30am near to the fast food branch at the junction with Folly Lane.
Another 24-year-old was assaulted with a 14-inch machete, and underwent a 10-hour operation at Whiston Hospital in order to save his hand.
Jordan Hughes, of Calgarth Avenue in Bewsey, has been charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm and possession of a bladed article in a public place in relation to this incident.
No arrests have yet been made over the first stabbing.
Powers granted to patrolling officers under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 were in place in areas including the town centre, Bewsey, Orford and Whitecross between 6pm on Sunday and the same time on Monday.
They allowed police to search any person or vehicle looking for weapons, whether or not they had any grounds of suspicion.
A stop and search being performed on Winmarleigh Street in the town centre on Monday
The operation was also supported by British Transport Police, and saw approximately 45 stop and searches conducted.
Two arrests were made, with a quantity of drugs and cash seized.
One man was arrested on suspicion of immigration offences while Ashley Melvin, from Appleton, has since been charged with possession of class A drugs with intent to supply after being searched.
The 31-year-old, of Dale Lane, is due to appear before Warrington Magistrates Court in order to face these charges today, Wednesday.
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