LETHAL crossbows have been seized and destroyed by police following a raid in Blackburn.

The rusting metal weapons were amongst a haul including knives, a BB gun, knuckle dusters and cannabis at a house in the Bank Top area.

Police were acting on a tip-off from residents. Officers said the crossbows' owners told them they used the weapons to shoot rabbits.

Blackburn’s South West Neighbourhood Policing Team made the discovery when officers swooped on a home in Charterhouse Place.

The weapons and the drugs were seized last Wednesday and destroyed. Two men aged 18 and 20 were given cautions.

Sergeant Paul Schofield said: “There was no evidence that they had been used in the street.

“They said they had got the crossbows to shoot rabbits on private land nearby, but we suggested to the mother that we needed to recover them. You cannot have a crossbow in a public place.

“The information had come to light from a PACT meeting. There was concern over cannabis dealing and a suggestion there may be a crossbow at the house.

“With that information we need to deal with it as quickly as possible.

“Crossbows are potentially lethal. It’s the first time I’ve come across one and it’s certainly something you wouldn’t want pointing at you in the street.”

Sgt Schofield said a normal warrant was executed, without the need for firearms officers or support units.

He said: “I hope people are reassured that we take their concerns seriously.

“Once again we have taken action to remove cannabis from the streets of Blackburn and destroyed potentially dangerous weapons.

“Neighbourhood policing like this is our day-to-day business and the teams continue to make a real difference for our communities all year round.

"It is all about working together to reduce long term issues and give communities confidence in their public services.”

Anyone with information or concerns about crime in their neighbourhood can contact their local neighbourhood policing team on 0845 1 25 35 45 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.