Huge M6 terror scare caused by electric cigarette

A major alert which closed the M6 toll for more than four hours yesterday, was caused by a 'health improvement aid for smokers', Staffordshire Police have said. Police said their response, which saw armed police and military personnel called to the scene, was "swift and proportional." They said they received a report at about 8.20am from "a genuinely concerned member of the public" who saw vapour coming out of a bag as the coach was near the M6 toll plaza at Weeford, near Lichfield. The incident shut the M6 toll road in both directions for more than four hours. Armed police officers led passengers off the vehicle one by one and took them to a cordoned-off area of tarmac.



The passengers, including at least one young boy, were surrounded by police as the coach was searched. 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. A spokeswoman for Megabus, which is operated by Stagecoach, said 48 passengers were booked on the service and all were safe and well. "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.

"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. We are making arrangements to provide onward travel for passengers as soon as we receive clearance from the police." A Staffordshire police spokeswoman said: "Given the credibility of the information we received, we responded swiftly and proportionately.


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"We can now confirm that, whilst this was a genuine security alert, the significant concerns reported to us were unfounded." She went on: "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. Our utmost priority was the safety and security of the public and whilst on this occasion the incident was resolved peacefully without event, we want to encourage the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. We would like to apologise for any inconvenience and hope that the public understand that we have our duty to safeguard public safety."

There's an updated video here.