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Tesco to reopen threatened stores Tesco to reopen threatened stores
(about 4 hours later)
A number of Tesco stores across the UK which were closed by police after a series of threats, are expected to reopen for normal Sunday trading.A number of Tesco stores across the UK which were closed by police after a series of threats, are expected to reopen for normal Sunday trading.
Britain's biggest retailer is understood to have lost millions of pounds in sales as 14 stores were forced to shut on Saturday afternoon.Britain's biggest retailer is understood to have lost millions of pounds in sales as 14 stores were forced to shut on Saturday afternoon.
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.
One line of inquiry is of a possible financial motive behind the threats.One line of inquiry is of a possible financial motive behind the threats.
Hertfordshire Police, which is leading the investigation, said the stores were closed as a precaution and no-one had been hurt.Hertfordshire Police, which is leading the investigation, said the stores were closed as a precaution and no-one had been hurt.
'Go home''Go home'
One store in Barnes, south west London, reopened on Saturday evenimg and Tesco says all the others should be open again by Sunday morning. One store in Barnes, south west London, reopened on Saturday evening and Tesco says all the others should be open again by Sunday morning.
Tesco stores were closed in Port Talbot, south Wales, Pontefract, West Yorkshire, and Market Harborough and Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire.Tesco stores were closed in Port Talbot, south Wales, Pontefract, West Yorkshire, and Market Harborough and Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire.
Other branches shut down were in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk; Hucknall, Notts; Hereford and Ledbury, both in Herefordshire; and Barnes, south west London.Other branches shut down were in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk; Hucknall, Notts; Hereford and Ledbury, both in Herefordshire; and Barnes, south west London.
It came over the tannoy that we were asked to leave - basically, go to the cashier, pay for your groceries and then leave Martin Jacklin, Tesco customerIt came over the tannoy that we were asked to leave - basically, go to the cashier, pay for your groceries and then leave Martin Jacklin, Tesco customer
And some Scottish branches of the supermarket were also closed in East Renfrewshire and Fife.And some 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.Police said other stores were closed in regions covered by their forces in Lancashire and Humberside.
Darren, an employee from the Ashby de la Zouch store said staff were told to evacuate the shop.Darren, an employee from the Ashby de la Zouch store said staff were told to evacuate the shop.
A reader sent in this picture of the deserted Tesco store in Port TalbotA reader sent in this picture of the deserted Tesco store in Port Talbot
"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.
"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."
'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 Police 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 Police 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."
A Tesco spokeswoman said: "Tesco is working with the police following a series of incidents. As always, customer welfare is our priority."A Tesco spokeswoman said: "Tesco is working with the police following a series of incidents. As always, customer welfare is our priority."