THE M1 was closed in both directions between Junctions 37 and 38 earlier this afternoon as police tried to locate a suspect.
Officers were called at around 12.15pm following reports that a man armed with a baseball bat had damaged a property and a vehicle on Ballfield Lane in Kexborough.
A South Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "The man later fled towards the M1 and reportedly went on the hard shoulder near junction 38.
“The motorway was shut in both directions near the junction as officers attempted to locate the suspect. The M1 has since reopened and efforts remain ongoing to locate the suspect."