DETECTIVES are appealing for information about the whereabouts of a "dangerous'' man wanted in connection with an attack involving a meat cleaver.
Neil William Shaw, 46, was last seen on Thursday 5 April on Somerset Grove, Church.
Detective Sergeant Paul Rudd of Accrington CID told the Observer that two patrol officers were called to a domestic incident on Somerset Grove when a man came out of a house wielding a butcher's- style meat cleaver.
The officers were forced to climb back into the police van for their own protection.
Despite both wearing a stab vest, the officers had to call for back-up from the riot team as the man was threatening them with the weapon.
DS Rudd said: "The man went back inside the house and shortly afterwards seven officers from the riot team arrived and forced entry to the building.
"The house was searched but the offender had already left."
A search warrant was issued for an address in Kent but the suspect had moved on.
Officers are now keen to speak with Mr Shaw in connection with the incident and urged the public to contact them with information.
DS Rudd added: "We are very keen to locate Mr Shaw. We believe that he is very dangerous and the public should not approach him.
"This was quite a frightening experience for the officers but they dealt with it very professionally. They were both unharmed and did not need to take any time off work as a result."
The female officer and male special constable were on patrol in a marked police van at the time of the incident.
Neil Shaw is 5ft 7ins tall, stocky with shaven, dark brown hair and blue eyes. He is heavily tattooed with a BRFC logo on his left arm and he has a local accent. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact Accrington Police on 51212.
