Lancashire Police dealing with 'major incident' in Leyland with Civic Centre and Job Centre forced to lockdown

A large number of officers, including armed response, descended on the area around Broadfield Drive and West Paddock at around 9am.

Police have placed a cordon around the area and evacuated a number of homes and buildings, including the Civic Centre council offices, St Mary's Community Centre and Job Centre.

A local man, aged 59, was arrested under the Explosives Act after police discovered a number of ‘suspicious items’ at a home in Nursery Close, a quite cul-de-sac of detached homes opposite the fire station and next to St Mary’s Church.

He remains in custody.

The area remains in lockdown and the bomb squad are working at the scene. Lancashire Police Superintendent Gary Crowe has visited the scene and told reporters that he expects police to remain at the scene for the rest of the day.

Pictures from the scene here.

A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said: “We executed a warrant at an address on Nursery Close in Leyland at around 6am this morning (Thursday, June 22nd) and at the address we found a number of suspicious items.

“A 59-year-old man from Leyland was arrested at the scene under the Explosives Act, and he remains in custody.

“Emergency services remain at the scene and a number of properties have been evacuated.”

A local councillor said police are investigating 'suspected bomb-making equipment' discovered in a house close to the Civic Centre.

"No explosions, no injuries, police have just made a discovery,” said Councillor Matthew Tomlinson.

"As a result a precautionary cordon of 100m around the house is in place, which includes the Civic Centre. And because it affects West Paddock it may lead to delays when travelling through the town.”

Katherine Fletcher, MP for South Ribble, added: “I am being kept updated by Lancashire Police about a major incident in the centre of Leyland this morning.

“There is a large cordon around the Broadfield Drive area of the town that extends into the civic centre.

“A man has been arrested following the execution of a search warrant at an address.

"This is an excellent example of our police working proactively to protect our communities. I thank all officers involved for their work today.”