Residents were forced to evacuate after a suspected grenade was discovered at a residence. The bomb squad was called in, and Kirkstall Close in Chorley was sealed off after the finding at a property in the cul-de-sac. Three men and a woman in their 20s were arrested.
The suspected grenade was found during a property search on June 21 after a police pursuit in Preston. The pursuit began when officers started following a red Ford Fiesta on New Hall Lane around 9.40 pm. The chase concluded on Brockholes Brow with a ‘tactical stop’ to prevent the driver from fleeing onto the M6 motorway.
The 20-year-old driver from Chorley exited the car and brandished what appeared to be a handgun at officers, later confirmed to be a BB gun. Additionally, he was found in possession of two knives. He was apprehended on suspicion of firearm possession, failure to stop, carrying an offensive weapon, and refusal to provide a breath sample.
Three passengers, two men aged 20 and 21 from Preston, and a 21-year-old woman, also from the same town, were taken into custody on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon. All four individuals remain detained.
Lancashire Police shut down part of Brockholes Brow overnight, leading their investigation to Kirkstall Close in Chorley, where the suspected grenade was uncovered during a search.
A police spokesperson stated, “At 9.40 pm yesterday, our officers sighted a red Ford Fiesta on New Hall Lane with potentially illegal number plates. Upon signaling for the Fiesta to stop, it attempted to flee, initiating a pursuit. After a tactical intervention, the vehicle was stopped on Brockholes Brow in Preston. Upon halting, the driver exited the Fiesta, brandishing what appeared to be a firearm at our officers.
He was apprehended, and subsequent search revealed two knives. The firearm was confirmed as a BB Gun. The driver, a 20-year-old man from Chorley, was arrested on suspicion of firearm possession, failure to stop, carrying an offensive weapon, and failure to provide a breath sample. He is currently in custody.
The passengers – a 20-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman from Preston, along with a 21-year-old man from the same town – were later arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon. They also remain in custody.
During searches at a property in Kirkstall Close, Chorley, a suspected grenade was discovered. As a precaution, some nearby properties were evacuated, and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) personnel were called to the scene.
Authorities reassured the public that there is no apparent risk at this time. An investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information or footage is urged to come forward. Police officers will be present in the area to provide reassurance. Concerned individuals or those with pertinent information can contact the police by calling 101 and quoting log 1457 from June 21.