Train services have been suspended on a busy rail route as police investigate a firearms incident near a station.
Train services were suspended on a busy rail route as police investigate a firearms incident near a station.
Officers are hunting an offender "suspected of possible firearms offences" after an incident in Rugby, Warwickshire, police said.
Officers had been hunting an offender "suspected of possible firearms offences" after an incident in Rugby, Warwickshire, police said.
Armed officers, a police helicopter and dogs were sent to the scene to "ensure the safety of officers working on the railway line and train passengers".
Armed police, a force helicopter and dogs were used to "ensure the safety" of officers and rail passengers.
Virgin Trains, to and from Euston, on the West Coast Mainline are suspended.
Virgin Trains on the West Coast Main Line, to and from Euston, were suspended for more than three hours.
There have been no reports of any injuries following the incident, which has also left London Midlands trains unable to travel through Rugby.
There were no reports of any injuries following the incident, which had also left London Midlands trains unable to travel through Rugby.
The whole [of Rugby] station, including the tracks, have been declared a crime scene and we can't move until that changes Stephanie Clifford, train passenger
All trains will now get to their destination, but much later than was planned Virgin Trains spokesman
Police have been carrying out the search for the offender in the Hunters Lane area of Rugby.
Police carried out a search for the offender in the Hunters Lane area of Rugby.
Stephanie Clifford, a passenger stranded about three miles from Rugby station on the 1857 BST London Euston service, told BBC News they were informed about shots being fired at police.
Stephanie Clifford, a passenger on the 1857 BST London Euston service, told BBC News she had been delayed since 1940 BST after travellers were told shots had been fired at officers.
"We have been waiting here on the train since about 7.40pm," she said.
"We had two announcements from the guard," she said.
"We have had two announcements from the guard.
"The first one said that someone was firing at a police helicopter with a rifle and [then] the guard said the whole station, including the tracks, [was] declared a crime scene."
"The first one said that someone was firing at a police helicopter with a rifle and about 20 minutes ago the guard said the whole station, including the tracks, have been declared a crime scene and we can't move until that changes.
However, Virgin Trains later confirmed police had given the go-ahead for services to resume, just before 2300 BST.
"We've not seen or heard anything."
"All trains will now get to their destination, but much later than was planned," he said.
She added that free drinks have now been given to passengers.
"We're not sure what has happened, but police were comfortable that there was no danger to trains in the area, so services could continue."
Another passenger, travelling from Manchester to London on the 1815 BST Virgin service, said passengers are becoming impatient to get off the train.
He said that some trains would probably take until 0100 BST on Thursday to reach their destination, but all services would be back to normal for the morning rush hour.
Passengers 'bored'
Warwickshire police confirmed no-one had been injured during the incident
"I only know what the train manager has told us that there was a shooting incident further up the line," he said.
"Everyone on the train is bored. I don't know why they won't take us to the next station or the previous one so that we can all get off."
A Warwickshire police spokesman said officers have been liaising with train authorities during the search.
"Network Rail have agreed to put a stop on railway traffic in the vicinity," he said.
"I am pleased to say that nobody has been injured during the incident."
A spokesman for London Midlands trains confirmed all lines running through Rugby station have been closed.
"We have one train on the track which is stuck and waiting for the lines to reopen, but the others were stopped before they got to the area," he said.
"However, this has caused a knock-on effect causing delays between Birmingham and Euston."
Are you in the area? Has your journey been disrupted? What can you see? Send us your comments using the form below.
Are you in the area? Has your journey been disrupted? What can you see? Send us your comments using the form below.
In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
