Tesco security scare motives probed

A total of 14 supermarkets across the country were closed in what some reports said was a bomb scare.

Reports said the motive could range from a financial one to threats by the animal rights lobby.

Saturday was designated a national day of action against Tesco by animal rights groups including Viva, who claim the store has been selling live turtles at outlets in China.

Officers from Hertfordshire, where the firm has its headquarters, denied there was a link to any form of extremism.

A Tesco spokeswoman confirmed all 14 stores affected would re-open as normal. She said: "All 14 Tesco stores which were closed for a few hours following a security alert are now open as normal.

"Staff at the affected stores have done a fantastic job during this period and have worked very hard to make sure the stores are fully stocked and ready to welcome customers as usual. The police are conducting a criminal investigation and Tesco cannot comment further."

Police said the closures affected stores in Lancashire, Suffolk, Dyfed Powys in Wales, Fife and Strathclyde in Scotland, Leicestershire, Humberside, Herefordshire, West Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and London.

Locations where stores have been confirmed to have closed are Barrhead in East Renfrewshire, Fife in Scotland, Pontefract in West Yorkshire, Market Harborough and Ashby-de-la-Zouch in Leicestershire, Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk, Ledbury in Herefordshire and the city of Hereford.

A police spokesman said: "Public safety has been of paramount importance to all involved. No-one has been injured. While the public are advised to remain vigilant we have no reason to believe that the incidents are linked to extremism of any kind."