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Man arrested after gun alert closes motorway

Getty Images A general view of traffic on the M8 motorway, which has 10 lanes, five in either direction. High rise buildings can be seen in the background, with leafy green trees bordering the road. Getty Images
Specialist officers were called to the scene at junction six on the M8

A man has been arrested after firearms incident led to the temporary closure of Scotland's biggest motorway.

A police operation began after reports of a man with a gun on the slip road of the M8, near Chapelhall, North Lanarkshire, during Monday's morning rush hour.

By the time officers arrived the man had left the scene on foot, but a gun was recovered during a search of the area. A 35-year-old man was later arrested.

The M8 eastbound was closed temporarily during the incident, and the slip road at junction 6 along with part of the A8 eastbound at Eurocentral remained shut for around seven hours.

Det Insp Stephanie Bertram said: "We believe this was a targeted incident and we are following a positive line of enquiry.

"The M8 would have been busy at the time and I would ask any drivers with dash-cams to please check their footage and contact us.

"I am also keen to speak to anyone who may have any information surrounding the circumstances of the incident as it is vital that we find out exactly what has happened."

She said officers had already spoken to some motorists who stopped at the time of the incident and said anyone with information should contact police.

The road has now fully reopened