A 37-year-old man has been charged with contaminating or interfering with goods with intent at three supermarkets in west London.

       Leoaai Elghareeb, of Fulham, is due before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday following his arrest on Thursday.

       Hammersmith and Fulham Council said officers were called at just before 8pm after a man was reported to be shouting abuse at people in the street.

       Mr Elghareeb is alleged to have visited three supermarkets, including Tesco, Waitrose and Sainsbury’s, in Fulham Palace Road, and injected foodstuffs using a number of syringes.

       The supermarkets were closed following the incident and officers in forensic suits were seen in Fulham Palace Road on Thursday at the three stores.

       Hammersmith and Fulham Council subsequently advised shoppers to throw away anything bought from the three shops.

       “The food items affected are believed to be processed meat and microwaveable products,” it said in a rare “emergency alert” on Wednesday evening.

       “It is currently unknown how many items have been contaminated, or with what substance.”

       The council said: “Members of the public are advised as a precaution to dispose of any food items bought from these supermarkets this evening.

       “H&F Council’s Environmental Health team are now working with the supermarket branches affected.”