Three arrests after 'vehicles with horse boxes' block A53 for several hours
Three men have been arrested after police closed a Shropshire A-road in response to reports of vehicles with horse boxes causing an obstruction.
Officers were called to the A53 Hodnet bypass at around 7.10am on Saturday, with the road between Hodnet and Tern Hill closed for several hours.
West Mercia Police how now said three men aged 24, 37 and 40 were arrested on Sunday morning on suspicion of causing a public nuisance. They remained in custody on Sunday afternoon, while a dispersal notice has been placed on the area until Monday morning.
Safer Neighbourhood Inspector Ben Tanfield said: “I understand that people may have been concerned while travelling on the A53 yesterday morning.
“I’d like to thank the public for their patience while we dealt with the incident yesterday and offer my reassurance that a section 34 Dispersal Notice under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime & Policing Act 2014 has been issued which will run until 10.59am Monday morning.”
Witnesses reported being stuck in traffic while the road was closed.
West Mercia Police issued a statement shortly before 11.30am on Saturday, saying: "Officers are currently dealing with an ongoing incident on the A53 near the Hodnet bypass in Market Drayton, Shropshire.
"The road is currently closed whilst officers deal with the situation. People are being asked to avoid the area and to find alternative routes."
At around 1.30pm, West Mercia Police confirmed the route was open again, saying: "We would like to thank the public for their patience as we dealt with the situation."