Police have arrested a man over concerns that he was 'approaching children and shoppers' in Blackburn town centre.

The incident happened at around 1pm on Sunday in The Mall and the King William Street area of the town.

At around 1pm yesterday (August 4) police received a report of a man approaching people in The Mall, and the King William Street area of Blackburn.

He was reported to be wearing a red beanie hat at the time. 

On Sunday, a message from a woman was shared on social media saying the man had approached her children.

It said: “Please be aware. He’s been detained but if he ends up around town again it could happen again.”

A picture accompanying the post showed a man being taken away by Mall security staff.

A Lancashire Police spokesperson said: “We want to reassure you that a 40-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of public order offences, and he remains in custody.

"We do not believe there to be any wider risk to the public. 

“We know that this may sound concerning to hear, but an investigation is ongoing and although that investigation is in the early stages an arrest has been made. 

“This is where we now ask you, the public, for your help. 

“If you have any information that could assist our enquiries, or any footage that may have captured the behaviour reported to us, please get in touch. 

“You can contact us on 101 quoting log 0563 of August 4.”