Man found with 'rifle' arrested and bomb squad called following discovery of 'grenade-type' device

NewsGreater Manchester NewsWiganAn investigation is underway18:47, 30 Jul 2026A man found in the possession of a firearm was arrested hours before a 'grenade-type-device' was uncovered by a bomb squad. Officers raced to Beechwood Court, Skelmersdale, following reports of man with a 'rifle' on Wednesday morning (July 29).‌A 47-year-old man was located and detained as part of the major operation which saw the deployment of a police helicopter and armed police.‌He was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and remains in custody. Later that evening, at around 7.15pm, officers searching an address in the Birkrig area, near Wigan, and found a 'grenade-type device'.‌Click here to get the biggest stories straight to your inbox in our Daily NewsletterThe Explosive Ordnance Disp