Five people arrested in Accrington murder investigation
Thursday, April 23, 2026
We have arrested five people as our investigation into the murder of a man in Accrington continues.
Police were called by the ambulance service shortly after 10pm yesterday (Wednesday, April 22nd) after the man was struck by a VW Passat car at the junction of Blackburn Road and Birch Street in the town centre.
The victim suffered serious injuries and despite the best efforts of medical staff sadly later died in hospital.
He can now be named as Matthew Weller who was 44 and from Accrington. Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this time. His family are being supported by specially trained officers.
The car failed to stop at the scene and was later found abandoned on Barden Road. It has been recovered for examination.
Following enquiries detectives have today arrested five men – three aged 17 and one aged 23 from Accrington and one aged 18 from Blackburn - on suspicion of murder.
They remain in custody.
Det Supt Mark Dickinson, from our Force Major Investigation Team, said: “We have made good progress and while we have now made arrests our investigation is very much ongoing.
“Our dedicated team of officers are continuing to carry out enquiries in the area so please approach them if you have any information or concerns.
“I would again ask any witnesses we haven’t already spoken to or anybody with mobile phone footage, CCTV or dashcam from the area around Birch Street to make contact with my team.
“I am also still keen to hear from anyone who saw the VW Passat following the incident or who may have any CCTV or Ring doorbell footage from the area around Barden Road and Lynton Road where it was found abandoned.
“I know that people in the community are shocked by last night’s events but please rest assured that we are doing all we can to establish what has happened and to find those responsible for this man’s death.”
“I am grateful to all those who have come forward with information so far and I am again appealing directly to anyone with any information to do the right thing and contact 101 quoting log 1508 of Wednesday, April 22nd.”
You can also contact independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers.org.
