Man arrested after hoax bomb threats disrupt rail services

Earlier today, Northern reported "a disturbance on a train between Bolton and Preston" which led to some lines being blocked.

A British Transport Police (BTP) spokesperson said a passenger was making hoax bomb threats on a train.

They were called to Adlington Railway Station and arrested a man on suspicion of malicious communications.

A spokesperson said: "We were called to Adlington railway station at 2.44pm following reports of a passenger making hoax bomb threats on board a train.

"Officers attended and searched the man and found nothing, and he was subsequently removed from the service and arrested on suspicion of malicious communications."

The disturbance led to significant delays and cancellations across the network, affecting a wide range of routes.

A spokesperson for Northern said: "Due to passengers causing a disturbance on a train between Bolton and Preston, some lines are blocked.

"Train services running through these stations may be cancelled or delayed."

Services between Manchester Airport and Blackpool North were among those disrupted. Passengers were advised to check their journeys before travelling.

The impact was felt across the rail network, with services passing through stations including Barrow-in-Furness, Lancaster, Preston, Chorley, Bolton, Deansgate, Manchester Oxford Road, Manchester Piccadilly, and Manchester Airport all affected.

A Northern spokesperson said: "Train services running through these stations are returning to normal but some services may still be cancelled, delayed or revised.

"Services between Bolton and Preston will be returning to normal shortly, after being disrupted due to emergency services dealing with an incident.

"British Transport Police have attended and rectified the problem."

To help affected passengers, Northern temporarily lifted ticket restrictions in the impacted areas and arranged replacement bus services.

Passengers delayed by 15 minutes or more are encouraged to keep their tickets and apply for compensation through Northern’s Delay Repay scheme.

Train services affected by the disturbance now appear to have returned to normal.