Electronic cigarette triggers terrorism alert

Armed officers, troops, firefighters and bomb disposal experts all went to the scene on the M6 toll road near Lichfield after a passenger reported seeing vapour coming from a man’s bag.

A decontamination unit was set up and passengers were searched and held in a makeshift pen on the carriageway, but police found no crime had been committed.

The man was simply using an electronic cigarette, rather than the real thing, on the six-hour journey from Preston to London.

With the Olympic Games, considered an attractive target for potential terrorists, starting later this month, police have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.

Officers responded “swiftly and proportionately” to “a genuine report from a member of the public”, a Staffordshire Police spokeswoman said.

“The information received concerned a report of vapour escaping from a bag which on investigation turned out to be a health improvement aid for smokers.”

Police later confirmed the device was an electronic cigarette which gives off a visible vapour.

“We can now confirm that, whilst this was a genuine security alert, the significant concerns reported to us were unfounded,” the force spokeswoman said.

“It’s important to state that no criminal offence has been committed and no passenger or any other member of the public is being treated as a suspect.

“Our utmost priority was the safety and security of the public and whilst on this occasion the incident was resolved peacefully without event, we want to encourage the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.

“We would like to apologise for any inconvenience and hope that the public understand that we have our duty to safeguard public safety.”

A spokeswoman for Megabus, which is operated by Stagecoach, said they were making arrangements to provide onward travel for passengers.”