Man 'armed with knife' threatens woman after entering Blackpool launderette

A man reportedly armed with a knife entered a launderette on Whitegate Drive before threatening a woman at around midday today (Monday, July 20).

Several marked and unmarked police cars, the dog unit and officers from the Tactical Operations team reportedly rushed to the incident, prompting the man to flee the scene.

A 24-year-old man was later arrested on suspicion of affray following a search carried out by officers around Church Street and Leamington Road.

The man, of no fixed abode, remains in custody for questioning, according to police.

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: "We were called at 12pm today (Monday, July 20) to reports of a concern for safety in Blackpool.

"It was reported a man had entered a launderette in Whitegate Drive and threatened a woman with a weapon, believed to be a knife, before making off from the scene.

"Officers attended and following a search of the area a man was detained.

"A 24-year-old man, of no fixed address, was arrested on suspicion of affray and is in custody."

No injuries have been reported.