A large group of young people were seen chasing a small number of youngsters along the platforms at Blackburn railway station late on Saturday evening, in an incident witnesses say involved knives and other weapons and is thought to be linked to local "postcode wars".
What happened
The episode, which took place at around 9.40pm on Saturday 8 August, was captured on video and widely shared on social media. The clip shows a number of youths running along platforms and confronting a small group of passengers who were on board a train. One eye-witness estimated there were "around 30 to 40 lads" involved and said they had targeted "just two or three individuals".
- Time and date: c. 9.40pm, Saturday 8 August
- Location: Blackburn railway station
- Reported number involved: an eye-witness suggested 30–40 youths
Public reaction and concerns
The footage prompted alarm from local commuters. The person who uploaded the clip described the scenes as "completely and utterly embarrassing" and warned of the danger to passengers, saying children were carrying "lethal weapons through our transport hubs" and that the behaviour was "completely unacceptable".
"How has it come to this? Children carrying lethal weapons through our transport hubs, putting innocent commuters and families at risk. This is completely unacceptable, and something needs to be done immediately."
Some witnesses suggested the violence was the product of what they described as "mindless postcode wars between Burnley and Blackburn". The term has been used locally in recent months to describe sporadic clashes and tensions between groups from neighbouring towns.
Police response
A British Transport Police (BTP) spokesperson confirmed officers were called at about 9.40pm on 8 August to reports of an altercation involving a group of youths at the station. According to the statement, the group left the area a short time later. No further detail about arrests or injuries was provided in the spokesperson's comment.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Reported time | c. 9.40pm, 8 August |
| Location | Blackburn railway station |
| Witness estimate | ~30–40 youths; victims described as 2–3 individuals |
| Police action | BTP attended; group dispersed shortly afterwards |
Local impact and questions
Blackburn commuters and families using the station expressed shock that such an incident could occur at a transport hub. The video has raised fresh questions about youth violence locally and the ability of authorities to protect passengers in public places. While the BTP statement confirms an attendance, the wider community will be looking for clarity on whether any follow‑up enquiries, arrests or safeguarding measures are underway.
Railway stations are busy public spaces where incidents of this nature can endanger bystanders as much as those directly involved. For now, those who captured and shared the footage have amplified concern across social networks and among local residents, who describe the scenes as "disgusting" and demand action.
British Transport Police were the only named force to comment in the initial reports. WE NEWS will seek any further information from BTP, local police and Lancashire authorities about enquiries, victim support and measures to prevent a recurrence.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact British Transport Police via their website or through the force's contact channels. If you were at the station and have video or eyewitness evidence, preserving it and sharing it with investigators could assist enquiries.
