POLICE have discovered a gun that was ditched near a busy Scottish motorway after a seven-hour search was launched over reports that ‘a man was seen with a weapon.’
Earlier today officers locked down a section of the M8 after it was claimed a man was spotted with a firearm.
Emergency services raced to the slip road at Junction 6 of the eastbound carriageway for Newhouse and Chapelhall in North Lanarkshire at around 8.55am this morning.
Specialist officers also scrambled to the motorway as police searched the area after the alarm was raised.
Cops have now confirmed that a firearm was found in the area and has been recovered.
The force also arrested a 35-year-old man in connection with the alleged incident.
Officers have said that enquiries are ongoing.
Police have said they believe there is no threat to the wider public.
The force is also urging anyone with any information to come forward and speak with officers.
They are particularly keen to speak with anyone who may have dash-cam footage from the area at the time of the incident.
Detective Inspector Stephanie Bertram, of Lanarkshire CID, said: “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.
“Officers have already spoken to some motorists who stopped at the time of the incident and I would like to thank everyone for their help so far.
“I would urgently appeal to anyone who was in the area, and who has not already spoken with us, to please do so.”
The M8 slip road and part on the A8 eastbound at Eurocentral were closed for around seven hours while officers carried out extensive searches.
The incident had caused traffic chaos and tailbacks in the area, but the road has since fully reopened.
Traffic Scotland confirmed just before 5pm the road was open to drivers.
Chief Inspector Gail Nicol, local area commander, added: “We understand this incident may be worrying for the local community and I would ask anyone with any concerns to speak to us.
“Anyone with information can speak to officers, contact Police Scotland via 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, quoting incident number 0602 of Monday, 3 February, 2025.”
