This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/gloucestershire/6961590.stm

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
M5 shut after police car shot at M5 shut after police car shot at
(30 minutes later)
Shots were fired at a police car when a BMW was stopped as part of a routine check in Gloucestershire.Shots were fired at a police car when a BMW was stopped as part of a routine check in Gloucestershire.
The blue L-registered Series 3 BMW was parked in a lay-by on the B4008 by junction 12 of the M5 near Gloucester.The blue L-registered Series 3 BMW was parked in a lay-by on the B4008 by junction 12 of the M5 near Gloucester.
When the officers approached the car outside a Blooms Garden Centre it drove off at speed onto the M5 and two shots were fired by a backseat passenger. When the officers approached the car, outside a Blooms Garden Centre, it drove off onto the M5 and two shots were fired by a backseat passenger.
The M5 was closed in both directions between junctions 12 and 13 but has since reopened northbound.The M5 was closed in both directions between junctions 12 and 13 but has since reopened northbound.
The southbound carriageway was likely to remain closed until 1300 BST, police said. The southbound carriageway was likely to remain closed until mid-afternoon on Friday, said police, and the Highways Agency has advised people not to travel unless necessary.
Someone believed to be in the back of the vehicle then fired two shots in the direction of the police vehicle Kate Nelmes, Gloucestershire Police Congestion problems
The Highways Agency has advised people not to travel unless necessary. Queues are forming as the Bank Holiday weekend gets under way, and water was being handed out by police officers to the hundreds of stranded motorists.
Bank holiday weekend traffic is expected to add to the congestion in the area until the road can be reopened.
The B4008, from junction 12 of the M5 towards Stonehouse, has also been closed and diversion signs are in place.The B4008, from junction 12 of the M5 towards Stonehouse, has also been closed and diversion signs are in place.
Police followed the BMW but lost sight of it just before junction 13, for Stroud. Police followed the BMW following the incident at about 0400 BST but lost sight of it just before junction 13, for Stroud.
Police are searching the area
"As the vehicle drove onto the carriageway, someone believed to be in the back of the vehicle then fired two shots in the direction of the police vehicle," said Kate Nelmes, of Gloucestershire Police."As the vehicle drove onto the carriageway, someone believed to be in the back of the vehicle then fired two shots in the direction of the police vehicle," said Kate Nelmes, of Gloucestershire Police.
"A lot of enquiries are being carried out to trace that vehicle and we would appeal to anyone who knows who is responsible and where they and the vehicle are now, to get in touch with us." "A lot of inquiries are being carried out to trace that vehicle and we would appeal to anyone who knows who is responsible and where they and the vehicle are now, to get in touch with us."
No-one was injured but officers are now carrying out a detailed investigation to find the car and its occupants.No-one was injured but officers are now carrying out a detailed investigation to find the car and its occupants.
A thorough search of the area is also being carried out.A thorough search of the area is also being carried out.