Armed police were deployed to a property in Blackpool after a woman was reportedly assaulted, and officers later discovered a number of dogs inside, one of which was dead.
Police were called to Central Drive at around 12.48pm on October 3 following a report that a woman had been assaulted by a man.
Cordon and armed response
A cordon was put in place and armed officers were sent to the address after police received information that the suspect may have weapons and that potentially dangerous dogs were inside the property.
The road was closed for several hours while officers carried out a thorough search of the address. Police said a number of dogs were found inside the property, including one which was deceased.
Suspect still at large
The suspect was not located and enquiries to arrest him remain ongoing. Lancashire Constabulary said the incident was being treated as isolated and stressed there was "no wider threat to the public."
The female victim has been safeguarded, police said.
A Lancashire Constabulary spokesperson said: "We were called to Central Drive, Blackpool, at 12.48pm today (October 3) following a report of a woman had been assaulted by a man."
"Officers have attended the area to make arrest enquiries. Having received information that the suspect may have weapons and that potentially dangerous dogs inside the property, the decision was made for armed officers to attend the scene."
"A thorough search of the property was conducted and a number of dogs were found, including one which was deceased. However, the suspect was not located and arrest enquiries remain ongoing."
"This is being treated as an isolated incident and there is no wider threat to the public. The female victim of the assault has been safeguarded."
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting log 677 of October 3, 2026.
