12-year-old among six arrested after terrified public are threatened with a handgun in Preston

The youngest of the suspects, a 12-year-old boy, is among six people arrested after the incident near Moor Park on Friday, June 12.

Between 8pm and 8.30pm, police received reports that a group of young men – three on foot and two in a car - had been seen interacting on the corner of Muncaster Road and Lovat Road.

One of the men in the car, described as young and Asian, was then seen being pulled from the vehicle and viciously assaulted.

The group on foot then made off from the area and the victim of the assault disappeared before officers arrived at the scene.

Police then received a separate report at around the same time, in which a young man had been seen in possession of a handgun and that threats had allegedly been made towards members of the public.

Lancashire Police said they are treating the incidents as linked and the investigation is on-going.

At this stage, a total of six people have been arrested. They are:

- A 12-year-old boy, a 38-year-old woman and a 36-year-old man, all from Preston and all arrested on suspicion of possession of firearms offences.

- Two 16-year-old boys from Preston arrested on suspicion of affray and possession of firearms offences

- And a 17-year-old boy from Darwen who has been arrested on suspicion of breach of bail.

All six have since been released under investigation pending further enquiries.

Police said it is possible that the gun might have been a BB gun and not a genuine handgun.

Sgt Adam Smith, of Preston Police, said: "We received a number of reports by concerned members of the public, who saw someone in possession of what they believed was a gun, and who also saw a young man being subjected to a vicious assault.

"Firstly, we have yet to trace the victim of the assault and are now asking them, or anybody who knows who they may be, to get in touch with us.

"Secondly, we are asking anybody with information, or anybody who saw the incidents and has not yet spoken to officers, to contact us as soon as possible.

"This includes people who have mobile phone, CCTV or dashcam footage of either the incidents themselves, or of the moments before and after they occurred.

"Whatever you know, please get in touch as soon as possible."

Anybody with information is asked to call 101, quoting log number 1192 of June 12.

Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be reached anonymously on 0800 555 111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org.