Police stopped lorry linked to high-value theft on M62

West Yorkshire Police was notified at 3.18am today of a HGV on the eastbound carriageway travelling towards the force area which "had been linked to a high-value theft offence in Cheshire". Officers brought the vehicle to a stop near junction 25 (Brighouse). Two men, aged 21 and 34, were arrested on suspicion of multiple offences.

These were theft, drug possession and driving offences. They are both currently in custody. The Telegraph & Argus reported this morning about delays being caused on the eastbound carriageway of the M62 by a "police incident" at 4.05am.

Two lanes were also blocked on the westbound carriageway due to "overrunning" overnight works. M62: National Highways: Yorkshire said at 7.18am that: "An unplanned incident on the eastbound carriageway (now resolved) have delayed the removal of these lane closures."

All lanes were reopened just under an hour later but there were still delays of at least 30 minutes on approach at one point. Queueing traffic on the eastbound carriageway of the M62 at junction 26 (M606, Chain Bar) near Bradford after a crash at around 6.15am (Image: National Highways) Just an hour before, National Highways: Yorkshire announced there had been a crash slightly further down the same carriageway where the police stop was made, at junction 26 (M606, Chain Bar).

All lanes were reopened just after 6.30am but the Government company warned of growing congestion in the aftermath of the crash. It said that there were "long delays of at least 45 minutes above usual journey times" at that time and it was reported traffic was stretching back as far as junction 25 (Brighouse).

It has been absolute chaos on the M62 over the past day-and-a-half. There were long delays on Thursday morning for more than two hours after a crash on the eastbound carriageway at junction 26, while traffic was stopped earlier today after a multi-vehicle collision.

Full statement from West Yorkshire Police

"West Yorkshire Police was notified at 3.18am today (Friday, 12 December) of an HGV on the M62 eastbound travelling towards the West Yorkshire Police area which had been linked to a high-value theft offence in Cheshire. "The vehicle was brought to a stop near J25.

"Two men, aged 21 and 34, were arrested on suspicion of theft as well as drug possession and driving offences.

"They are both currently in custody."