Supermarket staff and shoppers were evacuated at Tesco Extra in Horwich today after what police described as 'suspicious circumstances'.

Customers were being turned away just before 1pm today (Wednesday February 8) as the store closed for a couple of hours.

Police remained on scene whilst staff waited in the car park until it was deemed safe to go back in.

Police say that an “extensive search” was carried out whilst they made sure that the store and the public were not at risk.

Tesco reopened just before 2.30pm, with staff and customers able to return.

The Bolton News:

A reliable witness at the scene told The Bolton News that a member of staff told shoppers that it was a 'bomb hoax' - however this has not been confirmed officially by either Greater Manchester Police or Tesco.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: "Police were called to reports of suspicious circumstances at the Tesco Store in Horwich at 12.57pm today, Wednesday 8 February 2023.

"Staff at the store had evacuated members of the public as a precaution.

"An extensive search was carried out at the store, and it was determined the store and the public were not at risk, and the doors were re-opened."

A Tesco spokesperson said: "Our Horwich Extra store is open as normal after a brief closure early today.  

"We apologise for any inconvenience."

One person told The Bolton News at the time: “People are being turned away from Tesco Horwich, and police are there, the fire alarm went off and everyone was evacuated and were told to move away from the building.

“No fire engines are there just police.

“No one is allowed in the car park people are being turned away.”

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