A TESCO store in Suffolk was one of 14 to reopen today after the outlets were shut “as a precaution for public safety”.The store at the St Saviours interchange at Bury St Edmunds was closed early yesterday afternoon following a safety alert which hit stores across England, Scotland and Wales.

A TESCO store in Suffolk was one of 14 to reopen today after the outlets were shut “as a precaution for public safety”.

The store at the St Saviours interchange at Bury St Edmunds was closed early yesterday afternoon following a safety alert which hit stores across England, Scotland and Wales.

The supermarket giant said all of the stores closed during yesterday's security alert would be open today as normal.

Some reports said yesterday's alert followed a bomb scare and could have been linked to animal rights groups.

A Suffolk police spokesman said officers were called to assist staff at the Bury store at 12.45pm.

He said Tesco had issued the following statement via police: “Police are investigating a series of incidents in a number of locations across the country involving Tesco stores.

“These stores have been temporarily closed as a precaution for public safety.”

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 today re-open as normal.

She said: “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 today.

“The police are conducting a criminal investigation and Tesco cannot comment further.”

The closures also affected stores in Lancashire, Dyfed Powys in Wales, Fife and Strathclyde in Scotland, Leicestershire, Humberside, Herefordshire, West Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and London.

A police spokesman said: “Police in Hertfordshire have launched a criminal investigation following a series of threats made to 14 Tesco stores.

“Police were alerted immediately and liaised with Tesco throughout the day. 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.

“The constabulary has taken the investigation forward as Tesco has its head office in Hertfordshire. Every effort is being made to trace those involved.”