POLICE were overheard discussing wanted offenders and senior colleagues after accidentally ringing a Blackburn grandmother.

Kathleen Mawman, 61, of Bryan Street, was able to listen in on Accrington officers for an hour when she received a phone call in the early hours of Monday.

It is thought that an officer had mistakenly redialed Mrs Mawman on a mobile phone in his pocket, as she had been contacted earlier by police to discuss another matter.

Mrs Mawman was woken up at 3.38am on Monday by an incoming call from a withheld number.

After answering it and not receiving a reply, Mrs Mawman listened as two officers discussed senior figures in the force and a planned warrant on two wanted offenders.

She said: “Maybe it was wrong of me to listen, but I panicked when the phone rang.

"Calls in the early hours are only ever emergencies. I had my 16-year-old granddaughter with me and when I kept trying to say ‘Hello’ and not hearing a response.

"I thought the worst that it could be my daughter in hospital or in trouble.”

Mrs Mawman wrote down snippets of the conversation.

At least three high-ranking officers in East Lancashire were discussed, along with personal details, holidays, rival forces and then a conversation about two named offenders wanted for a ‘section 18’ offence.

Mrs Mawman said: “Yes, it’s a mistake, but when you’re a police officer you’ve got to be more aware.”

The grandmother of four had been in contact with Accrington police over an assault on her daughter’s partner.

A sergeant had called to tell her a man had been cautioned.

Geographic Inspector for Hyndburn Andy Winter said: “It is extremely regrettable that this has happened and we apologise.

“This certainly falls short of the high standards expected by Lancashire Constabulary and all officers concerned will be spoken to about the matter.

"I am determined that we will learn from this mistake to ensure it never happens again.”