20 charged and weapons, drugs and cash seized during week of action in Blackpool and Fylde

Police have charged 20 people and seized numerous weapons as part of an operation to tackle Class A drug dealing in Blackpool and the Fylde.

During the last week of July, officers executed drugs warrants in Blackpool, the Fylde and Bradford as part of Operation Clash.

During the week of action, we recovered the following:

One blank firing firearm, ammunition and instruction manual

An axe, a machete and a gas-powered BB gun

96 bottles/cannisters of Nitrous Oxide.

857 grams of heroin.

A small amount of cocaine

A small amount of suspected amphetamine

Three rucksack size bags containing a total of 1.6 kilos of cannabis

£13,445 in cash

Following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, the following people have been charged with conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin between 13th February 2024 and 11th February 2025.

·         Lewis Feehan, 24, now of no fixed address

·         Kassidy Kiernan, 24, of Cooper Close, Fleetwood

·         Joshua Beck, 23, of no fixed address

·         Elenor Hadgraft, 25, of Galway Close, Thornton-Cleveleys

·         Daniel Johnson, 20, of Clifford Road, Blackpool

·         May Burt, 23, of Boundary Place, Blackpool

·         Maxi Watford-Stock, 19, of Fordway Avenue, Blackpool

·         Joshua Purcell, 18, of Boundary Place, Blackpool

·         A 16-year-old boy from Blackpool

·         Harvey Brooks, 21, of no fixed address but previously of Broadgreen Close, Leyland

·         James Howson, 24, of no fixed address, who has also been charged with acquire/use/possess criminal property

·         Jack Hancock, 19, of no fixed address

·         Jack Chetwyn, 20, of Deansgate, Crewe

·         A 15-year-old boy from Leyland

·         Brian Towler, 73, of Sunny Bank Avenue, Blackpool

·         Peter Thompson, 38, of Knowle Avenue, Blackpool

·         Michael Grant, 57, of no fixed address

·         Shelly Lomax, 38, of Boothley Road, Blackpool, who is also charged with possession with intent to supply heroin

·         Kieren Erfmann, 32, of Vine Street, Chorley

·         Alan Adams, 55, of Ilford Road, Blackpool.

They have either already appeared at Lancaster Magistrates Court or have been issued summons to appear there on Friday (15th August).

DI Adie Knowles, of the West Target Crime Team, said: “This proactive action has been taken as part of a year-long operation which culminated in a significant number of people being arrested and charged, and drugs and weapons being taken off the streets.

“I hope this action sends a clear message that Blackpool and the Fylde should not be seen as a safe haven for anyone thinking of committing criminal offences.

“If you are aware of criminal activity in your area report it online via https://doitonline.lancashire.police.uk/ or call us on 101, confident we will take the appropriate action. Alternatively call independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 55511. In an emergency or if a crime is ongoing always call 999.”