A MAN was found with a four-inch blade and cannabis at Accrington Railway Station with police receiving ‘heated’ abuse.

British Transport Police discovered the knife and drugs after arresting the man for a previous public order offence at around 1am on Wednesday.

During the arrest the man’s friends and family appeared and became abusive towards the officers, who were forced to call for back-up.

A police spokesman said: “Tonight while locking a male up for a previous public order offence, an unruly group of friends and family turned up to abuse officers, it got heated.

“As more British Transport and Hyndburn police officers arrived the group lost the bravery of numbers and they scarpered.

“The detained male was found in possession of this knife and some cannabis.

“The knife was allegedly for opening a bottle of wine. No one knew where the wine was. A file is being prepared for the Crown Prosecution Service.

“This stemmed from a message that cannabis was being smoked in the wooden shelter at Accrington.

“If you see anti-social behaviour or disorder on the railway network and you think someone should do something about it, you are that someone. To report crimes on a train or railway station, text 61016.”

Passengers have complained on social media about youths smoking cannabis in the shelters on the railway platform and nearby.

PC Anna Gavela, of Accrington police, said: “We are aware of issues with anti-social behaviour in Accrington town centre.

“We are using a range of measures to address it, such as a dispersal order and intervention work with younger offenders.

“Issues on station property itself should be reported to British Transport Police unless they are going via the 999 system.”