A SUPERMARKET manager has been told to take extra precautions after an extortionist threatened to target the supermarket chain with letter bombs.

Last year the man, also known as Mardine Graham, also known as 'Mardi Gras,' targeted Barclays Bank, demanding money and used six different devices fitted with combinations of shotgun cartridges, rifle ammunition and butane gas canisters packed in video cassettes boxes, books and other packages.

A statement from Sainsbury's confirms a letter has been received containing a demand for money and threatening to broaden his previous activities to include supermarkets.

Deputy chief executive Dino Adriano said: "Our overriding consideration in assessing this threat has been the safety of staff and customers.

"In light of the diverse and random nature of the threat, and of the need to keep our staff and customers fully informed, we are fully supporting the decision by the police to ask the public for their help and working closely with them.

"We have clear and established procedures for dealing with a variety of contingencies, In addition, our store managers are taking extra precautions and staff briefings are being organised."

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