Security Alert Briefly Closes One Of Uk's Busiest Motorways

[News_Editor]

COVENTRY, ENGLAND (BNO NEWS) -- British police closed one of the country's busiest motorways in both directions on Friday after two men were seen acting suspiciously before running away from a van, briefly raising fears that the vehicle could be carrying an explosive device, officials said.

The incident began at around 2:30 p.m. local time on Friday when police were called to investigate suspicious activity around a white Ford transit van that was parked at Corley services near Coventry. The service station and rest area is located along the M6 motorway, one of the busiest in the country.

When officers arrived at the scene, two men fled the service station and ran across fields behind the service area, said Warwickshire Police spokeswoman Anne Tugwell. She said one of the suspects was detained and taken into custody in Leamington while the second suspect remained at-large on Saturday.

Due to the suspicious nature of the incident, police and the Highways Agency, which is responsible for managing the core road network in England, decided to close the M6 motorway in both directions between junctions 2 and 4. Several other roads in the area, including an overbridge, were also closed.

"We take all reports of suspicious activity and vehicles very seriously, and take whatever action is appropriate to protect people," said Police Superintendent Martin Samuel. "On this occasion we were informed of a vehicle which had stopped at the service station to refuel and two men were seen behaving suspiciously around it."

A team from the Explosives Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit was called to the scene and fully examined the vehicle, but no explosives were found. "After a thorough investigation by police officers and military personnel I can confirm that the vehicle was not carrying an explosive device," Samuel said, adding that the incident was now being treated as a bulk fuel theft.

The road closure came at an especially difficult time as it continued into Friday rush hour and also coincided with the start of a bank holiday weekend, creating long delays in the area. "It's hard to think of a more difficult time to close the motorway," Samuel said, apologizing to motorists who were caught up in traffic.

But officials defended their actions as the security alert came just days after British soldier Lee Rigby was savagely killed by two attackers near the Royal Artillery Barracks in London in what authorities have described as a terrorist attack. A number of security alerts have since been reported across the country.

"Following the horrific events in Woolwich (London) on Wednesday, everyone is acutely aware of the threats which some individuals pose and the harm which they are intent on causing," Samuel explained. "I would like to apologize to anyone who was caught up in traffic as a result of the investigation at the service station, but I am sure you will appreciate that the precaution of closing the motorway was necessary."

(Copyright 2013 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. Info: [email protected].)

[BookMan]

This is how terrorists 'win'.

There is an event, such as happened in Woolwich, and any events following in the near future are treated as possible terrorism events.

It can creates paranoia and panic in surrounding areas and innocent happenings or plain vanilla criminal events are viewed as harbouring sinister intent.

[Chittychangchang]

The security services can not let their tax paying citizens down!

How many other hijacked planes crashed after the first hit the twin towers?

Just saying.

CCC

[OzMick]

Given the reaction to this incident, I would have to give very low odds on the apprehended suspect's name being John, Taffy, Jock or Paddy in favour of something more "exotic."

Perhaps not quite as low for Paddy.

Edited May 26, 2013 by OzMick