A van spotted at 8.30 p.m. last night (Tuesday 15th November) on the Whitehills Industrial Estate, Blackpool, by an officer from Lancashire Tactical Operations Unit was later found to be holding a large number of weapons, including knives, axes, machetes and a scythe.

After being spotted on the Whitehills Estate, the van was seen travelling east on the M55, before joining the M6 and then the M61. At 8.52pm, the van was brought to a stop at junction 8 of the M61.

It was then the large number of weapons were found inside the van, including knives, axes, machetes and a scythe.

Four men who were in the van, aged 36, 32, 24 and 23, from the Greater Manchester area, were arrested on suspicion of possession of offensive weapons. They are currently in custody.

Inspector Rob Conolly-Perch of the Tactical Operations Unit, said: ‘We will not accept those attempting to bring harm into Lancashire and will target them tirelessly.’