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Fake cigarette caused M6 police Megabus coach swoop | Fake cigarette caused M6 police Megabus coach swoop |
(31 minutes later) | |
A fake cigarette prompted armed police to swoop on a coach on the M6 Toll road and close the motorway for four hours. | A fake cigarette prompted armed police to swoop on a coach on the M6 Toll road and close the motorway for four hours. |
Forty eight passengers on the Megabus Preston to London service were led off the coach and forced to sit apart in a cordon on the opposite carriageway. | Forty eight passengers on the Megabus Preston to London service were led off the coach and forced to sit apart in a cordon on the opposite carriageway. |
The road was closed between junctions T3 and T4 near Lichfield before police said they were no longer treating the incident as suspicious. | The road was closed between junctions T3 and T4 near Lichfield before police said they were no longer treating the incident as suspicious. |
Police said they received a "genuine report" of vapour escaping from a bag. | Police said they received a "genuine report" of vapour escaping from a bag. |
'Genuine security alert' | 'Genuine security alert' |
Jenny Lister, who was on the coach, said when she got off "there were armed police aiming at us". | |
She said: "We... were told to sit in rows and not talk to each other. There was a small area of the motorway where we were told to sit and stay. It was probably 45 minutes to an hour that we were sat there. | |
"The worst part was being stuck on the bus not knowing what was going on." | |
A force spokeswoman said, given the credibility of the information received, officers "responded swiftly and proportionately". | A force spokeswoman said, given the credibility of the information received, officers "responded swiftly and proportionately". |
The M6 Toll road was shut from about 08:20 BST and fully reopened by 14:00 BST northbound and by 15:00 BST southbound. | |
Staffordshire Police received a report from someone who saw vapour as the coach was near the M6 Toll plaza at Weeford, near Lichfield. | |
The force said on investigation they found the passenger had an electronic cigarette which produces a visible vapour. | The force said on investigation they found the passenger had an electronic cigarette which produces a visible vapour. |
The passengers, including at least one young boy, were taken to a cordoned-off area of the motorway and surrounded by police. | The passengers, including at least one young boy, were taken to a cordoned-off area of the motorway and surrounded by police. |
Officers searched the coach passengers one by one. | Officers searched the coach passengers one by one. |
'Reports unfounded' | |
Several other cordoned-off areas could also be seen, along with what appeared to be decontamination units. | Several other cordoned-off areas could also be seen, along with what appeared to be decontamination units. |
Military personnel, police dog handlers, firefighters and other specialist units were also at the scene. | Military personnel, police dog handlers, firefighters and other specialist units were also at the scene. |
No-one was injured, there was no danger to passengers and no-one was being treated as a suspect after armed officers evacuated the Megabus coach, police said. | No-one was injured, there was no danger to passengers and no-one was being treated as a suspect after armed officers evacuated the Megabus coach, police said. |
The spokeswoman said: "We can now confirm that, whilst this was a genuine security alert, the significant concerns reported to us were unfounded. | The spokeswoman said: "We can now confirm that, whilst this was a genuine security alert, the significant concerns reported to us were unfounded. |
"It's important to state that no criminal offence has been committed and no passenger or any other member of the public is being treated as a suspect. | "It's important to state that no criminal offence has been committed and no passenger or any other member of the public is being treated as a suspect. |
"We would like to apologise for any inconvenience and hope that the public understand that we have our duty to safeguard public safety." | "We would like to apologise for any inconvenience and hope that the public understand that we have our duty to safeguard public safety." |
'Felt uneasy' | 'Felt uneasy' |
Witness Nick Jones, who was stopped on the motorway for more than an hour-and-a-half, said police warned him to stay in his car, keep his windows closed and not to use air conditioning. | Witness Nick Jones, who was stopped on the motorway for more than an hour-and-a-half, said police warned him to stay in his car, keep his windows closed and not to use air conditioning. |
He said: "I was beginning to feel a little uneasy." | He said: "I was beginning to feel a little uneasy." |
A spokeswoman for Megabus, which is operated by Stagecoach, said all 48 passengers booked on the service were safe and well. | A spokeswoman for Megabus, which is operated by Stagecoach, said all 48 passengers booked on the service were safe and well. |
She said: "We are assisting police with their inquiries into an allegation made against a passenger who was travelling on the 05.10 Preston to London service. | She said: "We are assisting police with their inquiries into an allegation made against a passenger who was travelling on the 05.10 Preston to London service. |
"There were 48 people booked to travel on board the service, which was due to arrive at Victoria Coach Station in London at 10.55am. | "There were 48 people booked to travel on board the service, which was due to arrive at Victoria Coach Station in London at 10.55am. |
"Police have confirmed that all passengers are safe and well and they have been transferred to a substitute vehicle." | "Police have confirmed that all passengers are safe and well and they have been transferred to a substitute vehicle." |
Are you in the area or affected by this? Please contact us with any information, photos and video using the form below. | Are you in the area or affected by this? Please contact us with any information, photos and video using the form below. |