14 stores in UK closed after bomb threats are made in letters
By Rachelle Money and John Bynorth

Fourteen Tesco stores throughout the country were forced to close and evacuate shoppers yesterday in response to bomb threats. It is understood that letters were sent to the stores claiming that bombs had been planted, although police said that they had "no reason to believe that the incidents are linked to extremism of any kind".

Speculation is also mounting that the threats are linked to animal liberation groups who designated yesterday as a national day of action against Tesco.

It is likely to be coincidence, but 14 stores were targeted on July 14.

Thousands of customers deserted their trolleys in the aisles of the largest supermarket chain in the UK after some stores told their customers they had to close because of an "electrical fault".

Three stores in Scotland, including two in Gordon Brown's Fife constituency, were evacuated - one in Kirkcaldy and a Tesco Metro in Dalgety Bay, as well as a store in Barrhead, Paisley. All stores were closed at around lunchtime yesterday afternoon as a "precautionary measure".

The Tesco Metro store in Dalgety Bay, which was one of those affected, was closed down at 12.30pm when staff were informed there had been a "systems failure" on the check-outs. The employees were told to go to the fire assembly points as shoppers were told to evacuate the building, leaving their trolleys scattered in the aisles.

It was only later that it emerged a bomb threat had been made.

One supermarket worker, who did not wish to be named, said: "We were all very calm and there wasn't any sign of panic. I was working on the check-out, which was really busy, when we were told over the tannoy there had been an electrical fault and to go to the fire assembly points.

"All the customers were told to leave the building immediately, and literally had to leave their trolleys and baskets where they stood. The store was shut and we were told to go home.

"It was later on that we spoke to senior staff and we were told there had been some kind of bomb scare. The rumour just spread around the staff although some of us thought it might be a prank."

William Lau, manager of a Chinese restaurant next door to the Tesco store, which is near the police station, said: "The police were here twice and told me a suspicious package had been handed in. They didn't say how or where it had been handed in, and didn't give me any more details. I think they did a search of the supermarket but didn't find anything.

"Everybody is a bit tense after the Glasgow airport attacks. We don't need this to happen."

One notice on the door of the store said: "To all staff. There is a systems failure so the store is closed until further notice."

Anne Lindsay, a local resident, said: "This is a very quiet place and the last town you would expect to be affected by a bomb threat. But we have noticed a lot more police in the area since Gordon Brown became prime minister. The town has been absolutely swarming with officers, and it wouldn't surprise me if this town was targeted because of Brown."

In a statement last night, Hertfordshire Police, the force which is leading the investigation because that is where Tesco has its headquarters, said it had "launched a criminal investigation following a series of threats made to 14 Tesco stores across the country that occurred today".

"Police were alerted immediately and have liaised with Tesco throughout the day. Public safety has been of paramount importance to all involved."

The statement also confirmed there had been no injuries related to the bomb threats and hoped the stores will be reopened by tomorrow.

Hertfordshire police also stated: "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 constabulary has taken the investigation forward as Tesco has its head office in Hertfordshire. Every effort is being made to trace those involved."

Staff at the Dalgety Bay store were told over a public address system at 12.30pm that they were experiencing a "systems failure" and were to proceed to fire assembly points, while customers were told to evacuate the premises immediately.

At the same time the Tesco store in Barrhead, East Renfrewshire, was closed and staff were escorted outside and sent home for the day after being told they had a "power failure".

The shutters at the Tesco store were pulled down and a police car was parked outside.

A worker at a neighbouring shop said police had told him the Tesco shop had been shut after receiving a bomb threat, along with several other stores across the country.

The cashier said: "I saw all the Tesco staff standing outside. Police came and told us the store had received a bomb threat.

"They suggested we may want to close, but our manager has kept us open."

Margaret Curran, shadow justice minister, said: "This is highly irresponsible, especially in light of events at Glasgow airport only two weeks ago.

"Scotland faces a very real terror threat and we should all be pulling together in the face of that. We should tell these people that action of this type will damage their cause."

A meeting took place in Hertfordshire last night where police, Tesco and law enforcement agencies discussed how they would co-ordinate the investigation, which will include gathering forensic evidence and recovering the letters in question which have been received, so far, by 14 stores.

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."

She added: "As always, at all times customer welfare is our priority."

A spokesman for South Wales police said the Tesco store at Riverside, Port Talbot, had been closed since yesterday afternoon, adding: "Officers will maintain a presence at the site for as long as is necessary."

Towns where stores have been confirmed to have closed are Barrhead in East Renfrewshire, Kirkcaldy and Dalgety Bay in Fife, Pontefract in West Yorkshire, Market Harborough and Ashby-de-la-Zouch in Leicestershire and Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk.

Other stores affected down south include outlets in Lancashire, Suffolk, Dyfed Powys in Wales, Humberside, West Mercia, Nottinghamshire and London, which reopened last night.

There has been a mounting public backlash against Tesco as it now controls 30% of the grocery market in the UK, with 1988 stores and 40,000 workers. The chain announced profits of £2.5 billion for the past year.

Groups such as the Tescopology Alliance campaign against the control the supermarket has and its dominance over smaller, local shops. They claim the Tesco's continual expansion "poses serious consequences" for local farmers, employers, local producers and retailers as well as the environment.

They have called for a block to be put on Tesco takeovers such as its move to buy gardening retailer Dobbies.