Man Arrested After Smashing Dozens of Bottles and Threatening Staff inside Westcotes Tesco

Emergency Response in Westcotes

A Tesco retail store located in the Westcotes area of Leicester was the scene of significant disruption and property damage after an aggressive individual launched a destructive rampage inside the shop. The event, which occurred in early January 2026, required an urgent police response and forced the temporary closure of the supermarket, shocking local shoppers and nearby business owners in the busy district.

Smashed Bottles and Threats to Staff

According to Leicestershire Police, the suspect entered the Tesco store and began grabbing alcohol bottles from the shelves, smashing dozens of them onto the floor. As glass shattered across the aisles, the individual verbally threatened supermarket staff members who attempted to intervene, creating an atmosphere of panic. The sheer volume of smashed bottles left the shop floor covered in liquid and hazardous shards. In addition to the extensive damage caused by the shattered inventory, one person inside the store sustained minor injuries during the commotion, although they did not require emergency hospitalization.

Arrest and Aftermath

Police officers arrived on the scene shortly after receiving emergency calls. They managed to restrain and arrest the man, taking him into custody on suspicion of criminal damage and public order offences. The store was subsequently closed to the public for several hours to allow officers to conduct their initial enquiries and to enable staff to clean up the massive amount of shattered glass and spilled liquids. Local authorities have appealed to anyone who was shopping in the store at the time or who has mobile phone footage of the incident to contact Leicestershire Police immediately to assist with the ongoing investigation.