Trains resume after gunman search

Police searched an industrial estate near the railway line (pic: Peter Realf)

Train services on the West Coast mainline have resumed after being suspended for four hours while armed police searched for a suspected gunman.

Warwickshire Police said "heavy duty ball bearings" were fired at a lorry near Rugby station on Wednesday night.

The vehicle was damaged but no-one was injured.

Officers searched the track near the station, causing delays to train services. Warwickshire Police has denied it overreacted.

The lorry driver reported that his vehicle had been fired at in the vicinity of Hunters Lane in Rugby at about 1830 BST, a spokesman said.

Shots were fired at the lorry about 1830 BST

Armed police, a force helicopter and dogs were used to "ensure the safety" of officers and passengers after reports that the weapon used fired heavy duty ball-bearings which can cause serious or fatal injury.

"The comprehensive search of the area continued until after 11pm but no offender was located," the spokesman added.

Virgin Trains services on the West Coast Main Line, both to and from Euston, were suspended until about 2300 BST and London Midlands trains were also unable to travel through Rugby.

It took several more hours for many people to get home.

Insp Susan Froggatt said that closing the railway line was necessary to ensure that area was safe.

She said: "Warwickshire Police take very, very seriously the safety of residents and obviously if there were people on the line and obviously for our officers on the line we need to make sure the area is safe."