Police close motorway in hunt for ’man with weapon’

Armed police have closed sections of the M8 near Newhouse and Chapelhall

A manhunt is underway on the M8 (Traffic Scotland)

Armed police have swooped on a motorway after receiving reports of a man with a weapon on a slip road.

Drivers are warned to avoid the M8 between Glasgow and Edinburgh as police look for the suspect.

It is not yet clear what kind of weapon the man was reportedly seen with.

Images from Traffic Scotland show a slip road off the M8 being cordoned off with traffic cones and a police car.

A layby off the M8 is currently sealed off (Traffic Scotland)

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 8.55am on Monday 3 February 2025 we received a report of a man with a possible weapon on the M8 slip road at junction 6 eastbound.

“Police are in attendance and a search of the area is being carried out.

“Specialist officers are also in attendance, as a precaution, and extensive enquiries are ongoing.

“The M8 is closed at junction 6 eastbound for Newhouse and Chapelhall. The slip road on the A8 eastbound at Eurocentral is also closed.

“Motorists are advised to avoid the area while investigations are carried out.”

A map shows the area being sealed off by police (Traffic Scotland)

Traffic Scotland said a roundabout close to where the man was reported being seen was restricted due to an “ongoing police incident”.

In a post on X/Twitter they said: "New 10:12. M8 (EB) to A8 off-slip Junction 6A.

"Roundabout at end of off-slip currently restricted due to an ongoing police incident Road users in the area are advised to find alternative routes at this time."