CUSTOMERS have tackled a robber who burst into a betting shop wielding a carving knife this afternoon.

Police said the man had placed a bag on the counter of Bet Fred, in New Wellington Street, Blackburn, at about 5.30pm, and demanded cash from staff.

But a number of customers intervened, disarming him so the large knife fell to the floor, and pinning him to the ground until police arrived.

Officers were on the scene within minutes and a man was arrested. The shop was cordoned off.

Inspector Ilyas Mohamed said: "What these people did in this instance was extremely brave, but we advise people to err on the side of caution and contact the police.

"We will always take positive action against knife crime."

Police are keen to speak to any other witnesses who may have seen what happened, including one man, who had grabbed the robber's legs, but left the scene afterwards.

A 31-year-old man, of no fixed abode, is in custody.

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