Arrest after people leave lorry on M6
A man has been arrested after people left the back of a lorry stopped by police on the M6.
Both carriageways were closed between the motorway’s junctions 15 and 16 in Staffordshire on Wednesday afternoon.
Burton Albion fans travelling to their Carabao Cup semi-final against Manchester City were among those stuck in the traffic.
#UPDATE Officers stopped a vehicle on the M6 bet J 15 and J16 this evening (9 Jan) and a number of people exited the back of the vehicle. A man has been arrested at the scene and is currently in police custody. S/B carriageway open, N/B remains closedhttps://t.co/1nhaVXadSgpic.twitter.com/cuhmZ4WYXx
— Staffordshire Police (@StaffsPolice) January 9, 2019
Staffordshire Police said officers stopped a vehicle on the M6 before “a number of people have exited the back of the vehicle”.
The force said in a statement on Wednesday evening: “A man has been arrested at the scene and is currently in police custody.
We are aware of the traffic issues causing delays for @burtonalbionfc fans heading to @ManCity We are liaising with Club and Match Officials over the kick off at this time it remains a 7.45pm kick off. However should further delays occur this will be reviewed @BrewersTV#BAFC
— Police_BAFC (@Police_BAFC) January 9, 2019
“Colleagues from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service and West Midlands Ambulance Service are also in attendance.
“Police and partners are assessing the welfare of the people who exited the vehicle and we will be liaising with our colleagues in Immigration Enforcement.
“The southbound carriageway is now open and the northbound carriageway remains closed for the time being.
“We recognise the disruption this is causing to road users and we thank everyone for their co-operation.”