TERRIFIED newsagent Julie Worsley has relived the shocking moment when police swooped on a car just yards from where she was walking her niece's pet dog.
She had been out with mixed-breed dog George at just before 3.45pm yesterday, said she froze as she saw three cars stop alongside her on Preston Old Road and armed men come rushing out.
Julie, 48, of Willis Road, who yesterday was due to celebrate her 10th year in charge of Worsley's Newsagents, also on Preston Old Road, said: "I crossed the pelican crossing and everything seemed to be fine.
"Then I turned around and there were three cars in a line and the one in the middle was hemmed in.
"There was a lot of noise and all these people started getting out of their cars.
"I could see guns but I didn't know what was happening. I just froze.
"I saw a handgun and a big gun. I thought there was some kind of terrorist attack going on. I did not know it was the police. There was no way of telling.
"I just fled. I saw some people on the street and told them to get inside because there were guns on the street.
"I also saw one of my paperboys. He had frozen to the spot and I told him to come home with me.
"I took the dog home and then ran back to the shop because I knew my staff were still inside although the doors were locked. There was a young boy in there who was very upset.
"It all happened so very fast and I was shaken up.
"It was our 10th anniversary and we were going to have a party to celebrate yesterday. I'm so glad we didn't."
Julie's husband, Steve, 48, said: "I wasn't in the shop at the time, I was at home, but Julie told me all about it.
"She was telling people to get in off the streets.
"She didn't know it was the police. She thought there was going to be a shoot-out."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article