'Machete-wielding man' pinned to floor by armed police in Blackburn cul-de-sac

Armed police were called to Tresco Close in Blackburn after residents allegedly spotted a man brandishing a blade while children and families were out enjoying the sunshine.

One resident, who did not wish to be named, said he and his family were out having a drink and a chat with neighbours, when the man just came from nowhere and before he knew it there were seven police vehicles in attendance.

A man was apprehended on Tresco Close in Blackburn on Monday evening

He said: "We were in the street, it was about 6.30pm, and we heard the police sirens in the cul-de-sac, on the corner, less than 10 yards away from us.

"There was a man carrying a machete and then these police officers started pinning the man down.

"There were kids playing in the street, and then more people started to come out of their houses to see what was going on.

"There were at least seven police cars there.

A man was apprehended on Tresco Close in Blackburn on Monday evening

"It's a quiet cul-de-sac, and was very strange to see - it's not something you'd expect to happen at the height of a sunny Bank Holiday Monday.

"I've no idea where the man came from or who he was, but it was a bit of a weird one."

Another resident managed to take some photos of the incident and said armed police had descended on the street at around 6pm, with one of the images appearing to show the police surrounding someone on the ground in front of a driveway.

One person, who wished to remain anonymous said: “There were children present and plenty of people out and enjoying the sun.

“It was a shocking incident.”

READ: Four arrested in Blackburn as man stabbed and glass bottle hits child

A spokesperson for the police said they were initially called to Kings Road, a short distance away, after receiving reports of a public order offence, but were forced to carry out a search of the immediate area in order to find the perpetrator.

A man was apprehended on Tresco Close in Blackburn on Monday evening

The spokesperson said: "We were called around 5.40pm on Monday to a report of a public order offence in Kings Road, Blackburn.

"It was reported a man had been seen carrying a machete.

"Officers attended the scene and following a search of the area a man was arrested.

"A 45-year-old man from Blackburn was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and is in custody."