Preston's month of menace - these are all the knife-related youth crimes reported in Preston and Penwortham in March
By Matthew Calderbank
Published 27th Mar 2019, 14:40 GMT
Updated 27th Mar 2019, 16:03 GMT
The month of March has seen knife crime menace communities in Preston and Penwortham, spreading fear in schools, colleges and homes.
Bookended by two major incidents - an armed confrontation between rival gangs near Runshaw College in Leyland and a violent mass brawl in Penwortham - violent youth crime appears to have escalated in the city this month.
Wednesday, March 27 - Six men are arrested in dawn raids as part of an investigation into an organised criminal gang in Preston.
Homes in Preston, Penwortham and Longridge were searched and men, aged between 18 and 31, were arrested for alleged drug and rape offences.
The month is not over yet, but these are all the knife-related crimes reported by the Post in March so far.
Tuesday, March 26 - Four people are arrested after a mass brawl in Penwortham.
A group of Balaclava-clad men wielding a knife, baseball bat and metal bar attacked a group of youths in Liverpool Road, Penwortham.
Monday, March 25 - Arsonists burn down a sheltered outdoor play area at Maryland's Private Nursery in Pope Lane, Penwortham.
Earlier, a 13-year-old boy is robbed by two masked men who steal his bike in Priory Lane.
Tuesday, March 26 - Three men are arrested in police drugs raids at two homes in the Avenham area of Preston.
A large quantity of class A drugs, cash, and weapons are seized.
Sunday, March 24 - Stop and search is carried out by police at Preston railway station after reports of youths on board an incoming train were armed with "improvised weapons". A table leg was seized from two boys.
Saturday, March 23 - A man is tasered by police after repeatedly stabbing himself in the neck in Preston.
Officers described it as an "absolutely horrific incident" and the man needed extensive surgery to save his life.
