FIVE people dressed in black have leapt from a lorry while it was still moving on the A1M in North Yorkshire.

North Yorkshire Police Roads Policing Group tweeted that one of its team spotted the HGV near Leeming Bar.

“Five occupants exited onto the tarmac whilst it was still rolling in lane 2,” they said.“Luckily it came to a safe stop on the verge of its own accord at low speed."

A force spokesperson said officers noticed the Mercedes-Benz Axor HGV in suspicious circumstances at about 1.20am yesterday morning. 

It failed to stop and five people dressed in black jumped from it and ran off across the road into fields towards Little Fencote. 

"Despite extensive searches carried out by a police dog and the police helicopter, they were not located," they said.

"The HGV has been seized for forensic examination and inquiries are ongoing.

“Jumping from a moving lorry and letting it crash off the motorway was an extremely reckless act that could have had very serious consequences.

"Although no suspects have been located at this time, it’s highly likely that our response has disrupted criminal activity."