Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Tuesday 8th April 2025 at 08:30hrs
Residents of the usually tranquil rural village of Broughton, north of Preston, are reeling after their local Co-op store was targeted by an armed burglar wielding an axe.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the close-knit community, bringing back unsettling memories of a similar raid on the same premises several years ago.
Police have confirmed the incident took place at the Co-op store in Broughton.
While details remain scarce, a spokesperson stated that officers are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the burglary.
It is not yet clear if any items were stolen from the store, but we understand one person has been arrested.
This latest incident marks the second time the Broughton Co-op has been targeted in recent years.
Back in 2019, the store on Garstang Road was subjected to a late-night raid by four men wearing balaclavas and armed with weapons. During that terrifying ordeal, two staff members were tied up, and a significant amount of cash was stolen.
The perpetrators in the 2019 robbery reportedly used a trolley to transport the stolen money to a waiting vehicle before fleeing the scene, also taking the store’s CCTV unit with them.
The targeting of the same store has understandably left local residents feeling vulnerable and concerned.
“It’s just awful to think this has happened again,” said one long-time Broughton resident who wished to remain anonymous.
“This is a quiet village, and to have something like this happen once is bad enough, but twice is really worrying. You just hope the police catch whoever is responsible quickly.”
Another resident echoed these sentiments, stating, “The staff at the Co-op are part of our community. What they must have gone through is unimaginable. Everyone is talking about it, and there’s a real sense of anger and unease.”
The police have yet to release specific details about the latest burglary, including the time it occurred and the extent of any damage to the property.
Their investigation is likely to involve reviewing any available security footage from neighbouring businesses and appealing to the public for any information they may have.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of even seemingly peaceful rural communities to such violent crimes.
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