POLICE have been authorised extra powers to stop and search without suspicion in and around a planned protest camp in North Yorkshire.

North Yorkshire Police said a Section 11 authority notice has been issued around Drax Power Station, near Selby, in relation to a planned climate protest camp it said starts today (August 8).

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Under a Section 11, officers have extra powers to stop and search people they expect may be involved in illegal activity, without the need to have reasonable grounds.

A map where extra stop and search powers are authorised including Selby and around Drax Power Station (approximation of location in red circle)A map where extra stop and search powers are authorised including Selby and around Drax Power Station (approximation of location in red circle) (Image: North Yorkshire Police / Newsquest)

The force said this is a time limited power and is kept under constant review.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said it was working with organisers of the pre-planned camp in a bid to facilitate peaceful protest and prevent disruption.

Last month, Drax secured a High Court injunction against environmental activists on and around its site after a police tip-off about the planned protest.

The spokesperson said: "The Section 11 will be enforced until 10am tomorrow (Friday, August 9).

"We are working with organisers of the pre-planned camp in a bid to facilitate peaceful protest and prevent disruption."

Superintendent Ed Haywood-Noble, said: “The local community should feel reassured by our high visibility presence and the additional powers that are now in place.

“I would urge anyone who is planning on attending the climate camp to ensure that they uphold the law.

“Using the legal powers at our disposal we will intervene early to make sure that people are safe and feel safe.”