A HASLINGDEN couple who run a dog grooming business have spoken of their terror after a man entered the premises and pointed a ‘gun’ at them.

Mark Hambleton, 47, of Blackburn Road, said he had recognised the man as living in the area and initiated small talk with him on Wednesday evening, before he pulled out a black pistol, which police later found was an imitation gun.

Mark added: “I just said to him I haven’t seen you around for a while and joked that we were worried and were going to call the police.

“He walked over and came inside and just took this gun out. He cocked it and waved it at us, before putting it on the table and said ‘don’t you ever call the police’.

“I couldn’t believe what was happening. I’ve never had a gun pointed at me and it was the scariest thing that’s ever happened in my life.

“But the worst thing you can do is start panicking isn’t it, and I’m glad I didn’t because it could have escalated.

“I said ‘I’ve got to pick up my niece, I’m going to be late’ and sort of ushered him out, it was really bizarre.”

His partner Brian Kennedy, also 47, said: “It was really scary but we tried not to panic. I work in mental health so I’m used to difficult situations but you certainly don’t come across guns.”

Police said they received a report of a man being in possession of a firearm at about 7.10pm.

They said a discreet containment was put on an address and at around 9.30pm a man left the property and surrendered to officers.

  • A 50-year-old man from Haslingden has been arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and is currently in custody.