Man held on suspicion of 'contaminating' food with syringes at London supermarkets
25 August 2021, 23:42 | Updated: 26 August 2021, 06:52
A man has been arrested on suspicion of contaminating food with a syringe at three supermarkets in west London, a council has said.
Hammersmith & Fulham Council said officers were called at just before 8pm after a man was reported to be shouting abuse at people in the street.
He is alleged to have visited three supermarkets, including Tesco, Waitrose and Sainsbury's, on Fulham Palace Road, and injected foodstuffs using a number of syringes.
The man has been taken into police custody accused of trying to cause public harm or anxiety.
The supermarkets have been closed and crime scenes are in place. People are being advised to dispose of any food items bought from the supermarkets involved yesterday evening.
The affected items are believed to be processed meat and microwaveable products, according to the council.
It is currently unknown how many items have been contaminated, or with what substance.
Hammersmith and Fulham Council issued an "emergency alert" notice on its social media accounts on Wednesday evening.
🚨🚨Emergency Alert 🚨🚨@metpoliceuk have arrested a man this evening on suspicion of contaminating food at 3 supermarkets in Fulham Palace Road. The supermarkets - Tesco, Waitrose and Sainsbury's - have closed and crime scenes are in place.
— H&F Council (@LBHF) August 25, 2021
It said: "The Met police have arrested a man this evening on suspicion of contaminating food at 3 supermarkets in Fulham Palace Road. The supermarkets - Tesco, Waitrose and Sainsbury's - have closed and crime scenes are in place.
"Officers were called at around 19:40 after a man was reported to be shouting abuse at people in the street. The man is alleged to have visited three supermarkets in Fulham Palace Road SW6 and injected foodstuffs using a number of syringes. He has been taken into police custody.
"Members of the public are advised as a precaution to dispose of any food items bought from these supermarkets this evening. H&F Council's Environmental Health team are now working with the supermarket branches affected.
"The supermarkets - Tesco, Waitrose and Sainsbury's - have closed and crime scenes are in place. The food items affected are believed to be processed meat and microwaveable products. It is currently unknown as to how many items have been contaminated, or what with substance."
LBC has approached the Metropolitan Police for comment.
