By Craig Smith

A FIFE supermarket has been criticised for its handling of last weekend’s bomb scare.

The Kirkcaldy branch of Tesco was one of 14 stores throughout the UK forced to close its doors last Saturday after a threat to blow up some of the company’s premises was received by police.

But one woman caught up in the drama expressed disbelief that shoppers were told to head to the checkouts instead of being told to leave the building immediately.

Visitors in the aisles of the Postings store were told there had been a systems failure, but Billie Walker, a lecturer from Kirkcaldy, said staff should have informed everyone in the store of the seriousness of the situation at the time.

“First of all they made some sort of announcement about the toilets before they later came on the tannoy telling everyone there had been some sort of electrical fault,” she said.

“The announcement asked everyone to make their way to the checkouts and there were people queueing at the tills...

“But it wasn’t until later I found out what had really happened, and I think it’s shocking.

“They really should have asked everyone to leave straight away and got everybody out in force if they had known that there had been a bomb threat,” she said.

As well as the Kirkcaldy branch, the Dalgety Bay Tesco outlet on Regent’s Way was also evacuated and closed following the warnings sent by post.

Both stores were thoroughly searched but nothing suspicious was discovered.

It is understood the threat relating to Kirkcaldy was received by officers at Cupar police station, while police in Kinross were warned about Dalgety Bay.

Hertfordshire Police have now taken charge of the investigation and are continuing their inquiries.

In a statement released by Tesco, a spokesperson said the police were conducting a criminal investigation and the supermarket chain could not comment further.

“All 14 Tesco stores, which were closed for a few hours on Saturday following a security alert, opened either that evening or on Sunday morning as normal,” the statement read.

“As always, the safety and well-being of staff and customers is Tesco’s priority.

“Staff at the affected stores have done a fantastic job during this period and worked very hard to make sure the stores were fully stocked and ready to welcome customers as usual in the morning.

“Trading was, in fact, busier than usual for a Sunday.”