Officers say a gun was fired “meters from a police vehicle” as more details are released about a firearms discharge in Preston, which took place earlier this week.

On Tuesday (February 27) a man was arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm following the closure of three roads close to Preston city centre.

Now the British Transport Police (BTP) has released more details of what reportedly took place.

According to officers, a firearm was discharged “four meters from a police vehicle” and a man “ran directly in front of their car with a firearm clearly visible”.

A male reportedly ran into a busy housing estate and officers temporarily lost sight of him, until members of the public pointed out where he went.

According to the BTP, a man was “seen crouching behind a vehicle and appeared to be reloading a gun”.

He was tackled and arrested and officers said the firearm fell from his hand

Police say he was arrested, searched and found in possession of further ammunition, prior to armed officers arriving

A spokesperson for British Transport Police said: “Male arrested for possession of a firearm.

“Two BTP county lines task force officers (plain clothes, unmarked car) were in standing traffic in Preston when a firearm was discharged four metres from their vehicle. A male [reportedly] ran directly in front of their car with a pistol clearly visible.

“One officer immediately followed on foot (to monitor his location), while the second alerted Lancashire Police, then joined his colleague. Male ran into a busy housing estate with the gun and was temporarily lost to sight. Members of the public pointed out the direction he had ran. As the officers rounded a corner the male was seen crouched down behind a vehicle, with his back to them, and he appeared to be reloading the gun.

“The officers made the decision to tackle him and arrest him, thereby preventing him from reloading. Upon being tackled the firearm has fallen from his hand and a bullet has fallen to the ground. He was arrested, searched and found in possession of further ammunition, prior to armed officers arriving.

“The arrested male was handed over to Lancashire Police and they are dealing with the investigation.”

Anyone with information which could assist with police enquiries can call 101 - quoting log 0231 of 27 February.