Three arrested in town centre swoop

From the Lancashire Telegraph, first published Friday 3rd Aug 2007.

TWO men and a woman were arrested after police stopped a car in Blackburn town centre yesterday.

Police stopped a red Volkswagen Passat as it was being driven along Railway Road, near to the bus station at 2.50pm.

The car, which had a Romanian registration plate, was searched while the driver was placed in handcuffs and two other passengers were searched in full view of the public who had stopped to watch the commotion.

A police spokesman said two men and a women had been arrested in Railway Road on suspicion of theft.

It was alleged that shortly before the arrest a man had his wallet stolen in Audley Range.

Police said a woman allegedly distracted the man by asking him if he wanted to buy rings before making off in a vehicle waiting at the scene.

They added that the arrested men and woman were all from Romania.

Eyewitness Anthony Bradley, 27, of Montague Street, Blackburn, said: "The police stopped the car in the middle of the road and ordered the people inside to get out.

"They searched the three people and made the woman pull her hair down to look through her hair. They then made a full search of the car.

"When things like this happen it makes you feel anxious."

Archive Home