Machete-wielding Preston boy, 16, is tackled to the ground by police in Ashton

Officers tackled and disarmed the machete-wielding teenager after he was seen chasing another young man through the streets of Ashton.
By Matthew Calderbank
Published 27th Apr 2020, 10:28 BST
Updated 27th Apr 2020, 11:03 BST
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Witnesses reported seeing the boy brandishing the large machete and threatening another youngster as they ran along Francis Street at around 2pm yesterday (April 26).

Officers swiftly responded and pursued the youngster before he was tackled to the ground and disarmed near the junction with Tulketh Brow.

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The teenager was arrested at the scene on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon.

Police arrested a 16-year-old boy armed with a machete who had been seen chasing another youngster along Francis Street in Ashton yesterday afternoon. Pic: GooglePolice arrested a 16-year-old boy armed with a machete who had been seen chasing another youngster along Francis Street in Ashton yesterday afternoon. Pic: Google
Police arrested a 16-year-old boy armed with a machete who had been seen chasing another youngster along Francis Street in Ashton yesterday afternoon. Pic: Google

He has since been released under investigation.

A police spokesman said: "We were called around 1.30pm yesterday (Sunday, April 26) to reports of a public order offence in Preston.

"It was reported two males had been seen carrying weapons on Francis Street.

"Officers attended the scene with one person later arrested.

"A 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and later released under investigation pending further enquiries."