Tesco in Bedworth evacuated after 'big bang' as police issue statement

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The store remains closed today as 'four young people' help police



Shoppers and staff at Bedworth Tesco had to be evacuated after a 'big bang' filled part of the store with smoke. They were forced to flee late yesterday afternoon (January 2).

Eye witnesses reported hearing a 'big bang' and reported seeing black smoke coming from near to the toilets at the Leicester Street-based store. It led to it being evacuated.

The store remains closed today (January 3). CoventryLive has contacted Tesco HQ for a statement.

We have yet to receive a response. But Warwickshire Police has released a statement about the incident at 5.45pm.

In the meantime police have said that they are treating the incident as arson. A Warwickshire Police spokesperson said that four young people have been identified.

They are said to have been involved with the fire. "Following reports of a fire at a supermarket on Mill Street in Bedworth at 5:45pm yesterday (2 January), we can confirm that we launched an arson investigation after concerns were raised by the Warwickshire Fire Service," said the force spokesperson.

"We would like to thank all the witnesses and store staff who came forward to support in our investigation, and we can confirm that we have now identified four young people who are alleged to have been involved with the fire who we will now deal with accordingly."

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Four boys charged with arson after Tesco fire



Four boys aged between 11 and 13 have been charged with arson after a fire at a Tesco supermarket.

Tesco Extra in Mill Street, Bedworth, was closed to shoppers on 2 January due to the blaze.

Warwickshire Police said an 11-year-old boy, a 12-year-old boy and two 13-year-old boys have now been charged with arson.

The force said they are set to appear at Coventry Magistrates' Court on 13 March 2025.

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Police statement on 'ongoing issues' with gangs of teens at Bedworth Tesco Extra



Police have issued a statement on the 'ongoing issues' with gangs of teens at Bedworth's Tesco Extra store. There have, for many months, been a number of incidents involving young people at the store.

One of the most high profile was a fire within the store earlier this year, which saw staff and shoppers being evacuated. Police say they are aware of them and it is being 'jointly managed' by both response officers as well as the town's Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT).

SNT officers have reported that they made a visit to the store to explain to staff and shoppers about what action they are taking and, in a community update, the team said: "We attended the local supermarket regarding an ongoing anti-social behaviour (ASB) issue involving groups of young people. This matter is currently being managed jointly by Response and the Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT)."

The team added: " During the visit, officers engaged with the store manager and security staff to discuss how the police are addressing the situation and provided practical advice on steps they can take to manage incidents effectively. I also spoke with several customers to gather feedback on whether they had experienced any ASB while shopping and to offer an opportunity for them to raise any other concerns.

"The visit helped strengthen communication between the police, store staff, and the community, ensuring a collaborative approach to tackling ASB."

Both the police as well as Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council and Warwickshire County Council have urged locals to report any anti-social behaviour they may be suffering. In a statement, councillor Kath Price, the borough council's cabinet member for communities and public services, said "If you have witnessed any anti-social behaviour within your community please come forward and report it, you can also do this anonymously if you wish.

“In March, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council’s Community Safety Teams were awarded the ASB Pledge. This pledge helps to ensure that any victim of persistent ASB (when the threshold is met), regardless of where they live, is truly given a voice. It also means that partners work together to put measures in place to secure a resolution.

"We don’t just listen – we take action, but we can only do this with your help, so please come forward and help us put measures in place that will help stop ASB in its tracks."

Reports can be made by calling the police on 101 or online, or in person to a Police Officer or Police Community Support Officer. ASB can also be reported to the council by calling 024 7637 6322 or online by making an ASB report.

https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/local-news/police-statement-ongoing-issues-gangs-32984960

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In other words they've done Sweet F.A.!