A 47-year-old man has been arrested after officers found him in possession of a rifle in Skelmersdale. Later that day, a bomb squad was called to assess a grenade-type device that was discovered during a search of a property in the Birkrig area.
Police received a report at around 9am on Wednesday 29 July of a man thought to be carrying a rifle on Beechwood Court. Armed officers and a police helicopter were deployed, and the man was located and detained.
The suspect, from Skelmersdale, was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and remains in custody.
Grenade device discovered
At around 7.15pm the same day, officers carrying out search enquiries at an address in Birkrig found a grenade-type device. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team attended to assess the device and determined it to be a replica.
A small number of neighbouring flats were evacuated as a precaution while the EOD team worked. Residents were allowed to return shortly afterwards.
Police appeal
Police said: "You will have seen a lot of police activity in the Birkrig area of Skelmersdale since yesterday morning and we want to tell you why. Around 9am yesterday, we received a report of a man thought to be in possession of a rifle on Beechwood Court. Officers, including armed officers and the police helicopter attended, and the man was located and detained. A 47-year-old man from Skelmersdale was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and remains in custody. Then around 7:15pm yesterday during search enquiries by our officers at an address in Birkrig, a grenade-type device was found. Colleagues from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team attended the property to assess the device and it was found to be a replica. A small number of neighbouring flats were evacuated as a precaution while the EOD were going about their work. Those residents have since been allowed to return."
Officers remain in the area and anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting log 0350 of 29th July.
