Hampshire Police Shut Down M3 Over Suspicious Substance – No Terror Link
Chaos hit the M3 early Saturday as Hampshire Police closed the motorway for 11 hours amid fears of hazardous material on the road. But after a tense all-night investigation, cops have confirmed there’s no terror threat.
M3 Shutdown Sparks Commuter Chaos
At 3.49am on 23 September, officers were called to the stretch between junctions 10 and 11 following reports of a potentially dangerous substance in the carriageway. The motorway was shut from junction 9 to 11 while specialist hazardous material teams and Explosive Ordnance Disposal officers scoured the scene.
Police branded public safety their “top priority” and apologised for the massive disruption fresh commuters faced.
Flammable Material Thrown From Bridge – No Explosives Found
Initial probes revealed a flammable, but not explosive, material had been tossed from the motorway bridge near St Catherine’s Hill. Fortunately, no one was injured and experts say no wider public risk exists.
The exact nature of the substance remains under investigation, but detectives are stressing this is not being treated as a terrorist incident.
Another Incident Under Investigation – Police Seek Witnesses
Officers are also looking into a similar incident at the same bridge a week earlier, on 16 September, when something was dropped onto the carriageway and reportedly set alight. That event led to a brief lane closure and no injuries.
Police are urging anyone who witnessed either incident – especially those dog walking near the bridge or commuting early – to come forward by calling 101. “Did you see anyone on the bridge?” they ask.
Hampshire Police thanked the public for their patience and stressed again that there is no terrorism connection.
