Bomb squad called to Padiham as ‘grenade’ is given to PC

4:25pm Thursday 24th July 2008

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BOMB squad officers put up a 100-metre security cordon around a Padiham neighbourhood after a suspected grenade was reported to a town policeman.

PC Mark Jenkinson was called in after reports that a potentially explosive device had been discovered near the Somerfield store off, Lune Street.

The officer eventually tracked down the suspected grenade to Thompson Street, at around 6.30pm on Tuesday, and seized the device.

PC Jenkinson immediately alerted his control room about his discovery and police chiefs drafted in bomb disposal experts from Cheshire.

Sgt Phil Carter, of Burnley Police, said that the grenade was immediately taken to the nearest available open space, on land between Thompson Street, Levant Street and Barley Street.

Later tests revealed that the grenade was a replica, according to Sgt Carter, who said that the cordon remained in place until around 9.30pm.