Burglars steal bows, arrows and smoke grenades after breaking into Lancashire paintball site with chainsaw

Officers fear the stolen weapons could be used for violent means

the company confirmed around 100 smoke grenades, 15 bows and 200 arrows were stolen in the break in

Police are concerned bows, arrows and smoke grenades stolen from a paintball site in Lancashire could be used to cause serious harm if not recovered quickly.

Thieves are believed to have used a chainsaw on the night of 30 August to break through a door at the Paintball Trax site on Midge Hall Lane near Leyland.

The family-run paintball business on the outskirts of the Lancashire town is also used for archery and rifle shooting exercises.

The company has confirmed around 100 smoke grenades, 15 bows used for archery-tag and 200 faulty arrows were taken – along with easy to move items including drinks and packets of pot noodles.

But thieves were unable to gain access to some potentially more dangerous items used at the site including rifles and a more dangerous selection of bows and arrows, which are not kept on location overnight.

Officers are concerned the stolen weapons could still be used for violent means despite the bows being designed for archery-tag and many of the arrows stolen being defective.

Inspector Ellie Kanoun of the Lancashire Constabulary said: “Not only does this incident affect this business, the items that were stolen could cause serious harm and damage if they get into the wrong hands so we need to find them urgently.

“We are determined to locate what was taken, along with those responsible and so I am asking anyone who knows anything about this break-in, or have been offered any of the items for sale, to get in contact with us immediately.

"I would also advise people who may come across these things not to handle them but to contact the police."