Handguns seized in Blackburn and Hyndburn police swoops

Police said the co-ordinated swoops followed an investigation into organised crime.

Armed officers were involved in the raids on some of the homes.

They found three guns, thousands of pounds in cash and class A and B drugs.

Homes in Audley Range and Wensley Road, Ashworth Close and Devonport Road in the Johnston Street area, all Blackburn, were targeted, along with addresses in Whewell Row, Oswaldtwistle, and Somerset Grove, Church, at around 8am.

One of the guns was found at the Church house, and two more were seized from Devonport Road.

Four men aged 48, 27, 22 and 19, and two women, aged 40 and 22, were arrested. They were last night being questioned by police.

Operational support units, CID officers, sniffer dogs and neighbourhood policing teams were involved in the raids.

Superintendent Chris Bithell, of Lancashire police, said: “We have sent a very clear message that the police will take firm action against anyone suspected of committing crime in East Lancashire.

“We will do everything within our power to rid the streets of crime.

“These arrests were part of a much wider operation and should demonstrate our commitment to protecting our local communities.”

Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Michael Lee said he was set to meet police tonight to discuss the raids.

He said: “The fact that guns have been involved is very worrying, but police seem to be showing once again that they are on their game and trying to stop this type of crime.

“This kind of crime happening in Blackburn is certainly worrying and I will be meeting police to find out more details.”

Hyndburn Council lead-er Peter Britcliffe added: “For quiet towns like Oswaldtwistle and Church, incidents like this are a real shock.

“This is the second occurrence in just a couple of weeks in which guns have been involved.

"It is certainly not the type of society we want to live in, and I commend the police for their decisive action.”