26/07/2007 - MAN CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH TESCO BLACKMAIL INQUIRY
FOLLOWING a nationwide police investigation, led by Hertfordshire Constabulary, a man has been charged in connection with a series of bomb threats at Tesco stores.
Philip McHugh, aged 51 of Milton Avenue, Clitheroe, has been charged with two counts of blackmail and bomb hoaxing and is due to appear before Stevenage Magistrates today (26 July) at 10am.
He was arrested on Monday July 23 in Clitheroe, Lancashire and was questioned at a police station in Hertfordshire, where he was later charged.
Throughout the investigation Hertfordshire Constabulary has worked closely with Tesco and other agencies, including the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and the Food Standards Agency. The arrest and local inquiries in Clitheroe were made with the support of Lancashire Constabulary.
Police are not seeking anyone else in connection with these offences.
Assistant Chief Constable Gary Kitching from Hertfordshire Constabulary said: Throughout the whole inquiry public safety was of paramount importance to both ourselves and Tesco.
The successful charging of Philip McHugh has come about through the hard work and tenacity of officers and police staff not only from Hertfordshire but from other forces, and we thank them for their support.
Although financial demands were made against Tesco, at no point did the company pay out any money.
Gary added: Demands of this nature are taken very seriously but its crucial that in cases like this companies are not held to ransom and are given the support from law agencies to deal with the issue head on.
Tesco's Retail and Logistics Director, David Potts welcomed the speedy conclusion of the investigation: "Throughout this series of events, the safety of the public and our staff was always our top priority and we worked closely with the police to respond quickly and responsibly.
These were of course worrying threats and I am pleased that an individual has been arrested and charged.
I would like to thank Hertfordshire Constabulary and the other agencies involved for their efficient handling of this investigation. I would also like to thank our staff who acted so professionally during the security threats to reassure customers and get stores back open as soon as possible.
The response from customers was fantastic. They were so understanding about the disruption and I am extremely grateful for their patience and continued loyalty.
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Hereford was one of those affected by the incident 
Hertfordshire police have charged a man with four offences after 14 Tesco supermarkets in the United Kingdom were closed after the company received threats. Stores across the country were affected by the security alert earlier this month.

The man has been named as Philip McHugh, aged 51, from Clitheroe, Lancashire, in the north-west of England. He has been charged with two charges of blackmail and two of making bomb hoaxes, and was due to appear at Stevenage Magistrates' Court this morning. 

Assistant Chief Constable Gary Kitching from Hertfordshire police said, "Throughout the whole inquiry public safety was of paramount importance to both ourselves and Tesco. The successful charging of Philip McHugh has come about through the hard work and tenacity of officers and police staff not only from Hertfordshire but from other forces, and we thank them for their support."

Tesco's Retail and Logistics Director, David Potts commented on the investigation, saying, "Throughout this series of events, the safety of the public and our staff was always our top priority and we worked closely with the police to respond quickly and responsibly. These were of course worrying threats and I am pleased that an individual has been arrested and charged."

"I would like to thank Hertfordshire Constabulary and the other agencies involved for their efficient handling of this investigation. I would also like to thank our staff who acted so professionally during the security threats to reassure customers and get stores back open as soon as possible. The response from customers was fantastic. They were so understanding about the disruption and I am extremely grateful for their patience and continued loyalty," Mr Potts said.

Police are not looking for anyone else in connection to the incident.