A 17-year-old has been arrested after police found an axe in the town centre, while on patrol for possible protest activity.

Police were called to Jubilee Street, at around 5.40pm on Saturday (July 3) after reports that a person may have been in possession of a weapon.

After searching police found an axe.

A 17-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon. He remains in custody.

The axe was seized and police said there “isn’t thought to be any further risk to the public”.

A police spokesperson said: “Yesterday, as part of our response to possible protest activity and disorder in Blackburn, we received a report at around 5:40pm of a person thought to be in possession of a weapon on Jubilee Street, Blackburn.

“Upon searching, our officers located an axe.  A 17-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon. He remains in custody.

“The axe was seized, and there isn’t thought to be any further risk to the public.

“We take offences like this very seriously and will continue to respond robustly to anyone planning disorder.”

20 people were arrested across Lancashire on Saturday (August 3) after protesters marched the streets of the county.

Offences included possession of an offensive weapon, police assault, possession of a bladed article, obstructing police, conspiracy to commit violent disorder and failing to adhere to a dispersal order.

Only minor disruption was reported in Blackburn and Preston, with the majority of the policing response focused in Blackpool, close to Talbot Square.

At the time of writing, it is believed no officers were injured during the operation.