Black Friday UK: Panic on the aisles of Tesco
Shoppers filmed fighting over bargains, with one woman was injured by a falling television.
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Your support makes all the difference.The usual decorum witnessed in Tesco stores across the UK was aggressively shoved aside and sent flying into a bargain bin on Black Friday as shoppers sought out the best deals in scenes of utter chaos.
Shoppers were filmed fighting over bargains up and down the country, with one woman injured by a falling television. Yes, a falling television.
Several supermarkets had to be shut in the early hours of this morning as police were called in to control crowds who had been queuing for hours to get the best bargains.
Yet Tesco, the UK's largest retailer, seemed to be a hotbed for enthusiastic bargain bullies, with customers filming chaotic scenes at stores in Enfield, Manchester, Cheshunt and Glasgow.
Seven Tesco stores in the Greater Manchester area saw disorder while hundreds reportedly tried to storm the Wigan branch.
The Tesco in Walkden had to be closed down due to overcrowding. The Tesco Extra in Stretford was shut just half an hour after opening its doors after fights broke out between shoppers and a woman was injured by a falling television.
Following the chaos, a Tesco source insisted they "work closely" with police and take guidance on security measures in stores, adding: "We will work with them following this event to make any improvements for next year."
A spokesperson said: "Over 600 Tesco stores have Black Friday offers available in store.
"In the interest of customer safety a small number of these stores contacted police last night to help control crowds safely and stores are now trading normally."
Sir Peter Fahy, Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, lambasted retailers for not doing enough to prevent "totally predictable" Black Friday chaos.
He criticised shops for failing to provide enough security, saying the mayhem should have been expected.
"The events of last night were totally predictable and I am disappointed that stores did not have sufficient security staff on duty," he said.
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