A number of drivers were left ‘shaken’ after a group of teenagers threw stones from a bridge over the M5 onto the carriageway below. It was reported that two or three people wearing dark clothes were throwing stones onto the northbound carriageway near junction 12 at around 8.25pm on Monday.
Police were sent to the scene but the suspects had already left, Gloucestershire Police said. It it believed the same group returned to the bridge just before 10pm and threw stones at passing vehicles.
The motorway was closed in both directions from around 10.20pm so debris from the stones could be cleared from the carriageways. Officers used drones and a dog unit to search for the suspects and two 15-year-old boys were detained near the Hunts Grove estate by Hardwicke. They were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and have since been released on police bail while enquiries continue.
The windscreens of two vehicles were damaged in the incidents and the occupants were left shaken by what had happened. No one was injured.
Gloucestershire Police are asking residents of the Hunts Grove estates to report any youths acting suspiciously in the area and check their doorbell footage. Officers would also like to hear from anyone else whose vehicle was damaged, anyone who saw a group on the bridge, or who has relevant dashcam footage.
PC Andy Lawton said: “Throwing stones at passing cars on the motorway is completely reckless and could have had devastating consequences. Two vehicles which were travelling at speed had their windscreens smashed and it is incredibly lucky that no-one was seriously injured or worse.
“We’re asking for the public’s help to investigate those responsible for putting the lives of road users at risk.” Information can be provided to police by calling 101 or by completing the following online form and quoting incident 490 of 13 January: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us/us/a-crime-that-has-already-been-reported/.