Police were given extra powers to respond to reports of two clashes “between people armed with machetes”.

On Monday evening (February 20) members of the public called Hertfordshire Constabulary over two separate "altercations" in South Oxhey that are being treated as linked, allegedly involving people armed with weapons "described as machetes".

Officers in the area were given extra powers to stop and search anyone they suspected to be carrying knives in the area from 5.05pm on February 21 to 10am today (February 22).

Watford Observer: The order applied to the area outlined in this map The order applied to the area outlined in this map (Image: Hertfordshire Constabulary)

Normally police must have “reasonable grounds” to stop someone.

Officers attended both incidents but no one has been arrested, no weapons were found, and no one sustained any injuries, according to Herts Police.

Three Rivers Chief Inspector Andrew Palfreyman said: “If you live in the South Oxhey area, you may have noticed an increased police presence in the area over the last couple of days whilst we act on this latest intelligence.

“I would like to make it clear that both of these incidents were contained, and initial enquiries have led us to believe that the involved parties are known to each other – as such, we do not believe there to be any wider threat or risk to the public at this time."

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Although overt and covert patrols were increased, no stop and searches were actually carried out.

“I would like to take this opportunity to make it clear: there are serious consequences if you choose to carry a knife,” the inspector added.

“Not only will you face a possible custodial sentence and criminal record, which could affect your job prospects in later life, but you could cause yourself or another person serious injury.”

The powers fall under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.

They applied to the area around South Oxhey including Thomas Sawyer Way, Riverside Park, Riverside Road, Silk Mill Road, Hampermill Lane, Sandy Lane, Prestwick Road, Oxhey Lane, Little Oxhey Lane, Pinner Lane, Lower High Street, Dalton Way, Bushey train station, and Carpenders Park station.