Supermarket in Northampton evacuated after gang sets off flares and smoke bombs for a LIVE-STREAM on Instagram

The evacuation required police officers, firefighters and paramedics to come away from other very serious incidents
By Megan Hillery
Published 22nd Apr 2021, 14:50 BST
Updated 22nd Apr 2021, 14:52 BST
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The ASDA store on Harborough Road in Kingsthorpe had to be evacuated by emergency services last night after a group of people live-streamed themselves setting off flares and smoke bombs.

Police said a group of people entered the store at around 10pm yesterday (April 21) and began to set off a number of flares and smoke bombs. One member of the group live-streamed the entire incident on their Instagram page.

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The entire supermarket had to then be evacuated and this required the attendance of police officers, firefighters and paramedics who all had to be called away from other serious incidents.

A number of flares and smoke bombs were set off in the ASDA supermarket on Harborough Road, Kingsthorpe last night.A number of flares and smoke bombs were set off in the ASDA supermarket on Harborough Road, Kingsthorpe last night.
A number of flares and smoke bombs were set off in the ASDA supermarket on Harborough Road, Kingsthorpe last night.

Detective Chief Inspector, Adam Pendlebury, said: “We are exceptionally busy at the moment and last night had a number of serious calls to respond to including searches for missing people at serious risk of harm, domestic abuse victims reporting assaults to us, and incidents involving vulnerable children, to name only a few.

“This is why it is so frustrating to have the precious time of our police officers wasted having to respond to incidents like this, where people think they’re being clever or funny and may get a few more Instagram followers as a result.

“This was also a very distressing experience for both the staff and customers at ASDA who were all extremely shaken by the incident.

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“The majority of the public do not want to see our time spent on this type of behaviour and I would implore the people doing this to seriously think about their actions.

“We are actively investigating this incident in order to bring the people involved to justice and anyone who may have information that could help us is encouraged to get in touch.”

Anyone who may have information regarding who was involved in this incident last night is encouraged to call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or, if you would prefer to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. If you would prefer to pass us your information online, please visit www.northants.police.uk/ro.