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Tesco stores shut after threats | Tesco stores shut after threats |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Fourteen Tesco stores across the UK have been closed by police following a series of threats. | |
Police have launched a criminal investigation but say they do not believe there is a link to extremism. | Police have launched a criminal investigation but say they do not believe there is a link to extremism. |
Hertfordshire Constabulary, which is leading the investigation, said the stores were closed as a precaution and no-one had been hurt. | Hertfordshire Constabulary, which is leading the investigation, said the stores were closed as a precaution and no-one had been hurt. |
One of the stores has since reopened and police say the others will follow suit but people should remain vigilant. | One of the stores has since reopened and police say the others will follow suit but people should remain vigilant. |
Tesco stores were closed at Port Talbot, south Wales, Pontefract, West Yorkshire, and Market Harborough and Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire. | |
Other branches shut down were those in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk; Hucknall, Notts; Hereford and Ledbury, both in Herefordshire; and Barnes, south west London. | |
The latter store was the first to be reopened on Saturday evening. | |
Scottish branches of the supermarket were also closed in East Renfrewshire and Fife. | |
Police said other stores were closed in regions covered by their forces in Lancashire and Humberside. | |
'Go home' | 'Go home' |
Darren, an employee from the Ashby de la Zouch store said staff were told to evacuate the shop. | |
"We were allowed to go back in to get our belongings," he said. "We had to be as quick as we possibly could. | "We were allowed to go back in to get our belongings," he said. "We had to be as quick as we possibly could. |
A reader sent in this picture of the deserted Tesco store in Port Talbot | A reader sent in this picture of the deserted Tesco store in Port Talbot |
"We were informed briefly that the store was going to be closed for the rest of the day and we could go home straight away." | "We were informed briefly that the store was going to be closed for the rest of the day and we could go home straight away." |
The Tesco store in Barrhead was closed at about 1230 BST on Saturday. | |
Police initially closed off the car park leading to the store and several other neighbouring shops, but it was opened within an hour. | Police initially closed off the car park leading to the store and several other neighbouring shops, but it was opened within an hour. |
A worker at a nearby shop said police had told him the store had been shut after receiving a bomb threat, along with several other supermarkets across the country. | A worker at a nearby shop said police had told him the store had been shut after receiving a bomb threat, along with several other supermarkets across the country. |
'Vigilant' | 'Vigilant' |
Martin Jacklin was shopping in a Tesco store in Hucknall, Notts, when shoppers were told to take their shopping to the tills and leave at about 1415 BST. | Martin Jacklin was shopping in a Tesco store in Hucknall, Notts, when shoppers were told to take their shopping to the tills and leave at about 1415 BST. |
He said: "Me, the wife and the children were in there, basically just doing a normal shop and it came over the tannoy that we were asked to leave, basically, go to the cashier, pay for your groceries and then leave. | He said: "Me, the wife and the children were in there, basically just doing a normal shop and it came over the tannoy that we were asked to leave, basically, go to the cashier, pay for your groceries and then leave. |
"It was quite smoothly done. We spoke to a woman outside who worked there, she said she was just told to leave, not even to clock off, just to go." | "It was quite smoothly done. We spoke to a woman outside who worked there, she said she was just told to leave, not even to clock off, just to go." |
A spokeswoman from Hertfordshire Constabulary said: "Police in Hertfordshire have launched a criminal investigation following a series of threats made to 14 Tesco stores across the country." | A spokeswoman from Hertfordshire Constabulary said: "Police in Hertfordshire have launched a criminal investigation following a series of threats made to 14 Tesco stores across the country." |
The force is leading the nationwide investigation because the retailer has its headquarters in the county. | The force is leading the nationwide investigation because the retailer has its headquarters in the county. |
The spokeswoman continued: "While the public are advised to remain vigilant we have no reason to believe that the incidents are linked to extremism of any kind. | The spokeswoman continued: "While the public are advised to remain vigilant we have no reason to believe that the incidents are linked to extremism of any kind. |
"Every effort is being made to trace those involved." | "Every effort is being made to trace those involved." |
Tesco is believed to have lost millions of pounds worth of business as a result of the closures. | |
A Tesco spokeswoman said: "Tesco is working with the police following a series of incidents. | A Tesco spokeswoman said: "Tesco is working with the police following a series of incidents. |
"Police are investigating and so we are unable to comment further." | "Police are investigating and so we are unable to comment further." |
She added: "As always, customer welfare is our priority." | She added: "As always, customer welfare is our priority." |
Has the Tesco store in your town been closed? Do you work at one of the stores affected? Were you in any of the affected shops when they were closed? | Has the Tesco store in your town been closed? Do you work at one of the stores affected? Were you in any of the affected shops when they were closed? |
Send us your experiences using the form at the bottom. | Send us your experiences using the form at the bottom. |
Do you have any pictures of the stores affected? If so, you can send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk | Do you have any pictures of the stores affected? If so, you can send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk |
Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |