POLICE officers today spoke of the moment they tackled a suspected escaped convict.

The incident happened after officers were called to reports of a domestic incident opposite the Anchor pub, in Blackburn Road, Darwen.

They spotted a 27-year-old man who they believed to have escaped from Kirkham Open Prison four days earlier.

PC Roger Morris and PC Andrew Willis made their way to the scene at 11.30pm on Friday and two more officers set off from the Union Street police station in an unmarked car.

PC Dave Allen said: "When we were near the scene, the emergency signal had been received on our radio.

"We saw the suspect and PC Morris chased after him."

PC John Taylor then tried to block the man's path.

PC Allen added: "We managed to drag him to the floor."

All four officers sustained minor cuts and bruises but no hospital treatment was needed.

PC Taylor said: "It was worrying at first because we thought he had a weapon in his hand but it turned out to be a mobile phone."

DS Paul Elms of Darwen CID, said: "This was a very serious incident."

A man was reported missing from the prison last Tuesday and the news was circulated on the police national computers.

Darwen police notified Kirkham Prison officers fn the arrest.

PC Morris said: "You just don't think of the possible dangers at the time."

Kirkham Prison is a category D establishment containing 571 inmates, the majority of whom are serving short and medium-term sentences. The prison, formerly part of an RAF training school, has seen 22 prisoners escape since it opened in 1962.

A total of 18 prisoners were recaptured and resentenced.

Brian Riley, 27, formerly of Redearth Road, Darwen, was due to appear in Blackburn Magistrates Court today charged with escap-ing lawful custody and four accusa-tions of assaulting a police officer.