A “dangerous” man planned to set off an explosive device at a bank after watching a Netflix documentary.

At around 2.50pm on November 26, 2020 officers were called to a property in Bolton Street, Blackpool, following reports a man was behaving suspiciously.

They spoke to Alan Murphy, who gave the false name Mark Walker. Officers carried out checks which revealed the man they were speaking to was Alan Murphy who was wanted for absconding from prison.

Enquiries revealed that Murphy was known for possessing firearms, so officers asked him whether he had a gun. Murphy told officers he did and pointed towards his rucksack.

An initial search of the rucksack revealed what appeared on initial viewing to be a sawn-off shotgun.

Murphy then told officers there was also an IED in the bag under the gun, saying that he was “going to use it to blow up a bank” as he had "seen it on a TV show”.

He said he had become enraged after watching a Netflix documentary which claimed to expose a high street bank for allegedly funding terrorism and drug cartels in Mexico.

Murphy was arrested and a cordon was put in place while the area was made safe.

Experts found that the improvised shotgun device was a second improvised explosive device.

Following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, 61-year-old Murphy, of no fixed address, was charged with the following:

· Possessing/controlling explosive with intent to endanger life/injure property

· Two cases of possessing an imitation firearm in a public place

· Possessing knife blade/sharp pointed article in a public place.

He pleaded guilty to four of the five offences at court saying that he intended to damage the bank in Blackpool or cars that belonged to bank employees but did not want to hurt anyone.

Murphy was also given a further five years on extended licence after the Judge deemed him to be a dangerous offender.

DS Joe Isaacs, from West CID, said: “Murphy is very clearly a dangerous individual who had armed himself with devices which had the potential to cause significant harm to the public.

“Thanks to the support and information provided from the general public and other emergency services – added to the good inquisitive police work of the officers who attended the scene – Murphy was detained before he could do any significant harm.”

Tom Snape, senior crown prosecutor for CPS North West, said: “Alan Murphy is a dangerous man who planned to carry out a terrifying bomb attack on a bank and its staff.

“It is fortunate officers attended that day and then acted swiftly to prevent Murphy carrying out his plan, which could have had devastating consequences.

“I hope this conviction and sentence provides some reassurance that this man has now been brought to justice.

“We will continue to work closely with the police to do all we can to ensure the safety of our communities.”