Police patrol Australian supermarkets to manage panic-buying frenzy

Woolworths are among the supermarkets to have an increased police presence.
Woolworths are among the supermarkets to have an increased police presence. Photo credit: Getty

New South Wales police have increased their security presence in supermarkets to control panic buyers amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

There will be more officers patrolling the aisles in Woolworths, ALDI and Coles supermarkets to ensure the safety of shoppers and staff, nine.com.au reported.

Australian supermarkets have been struggling to keep up with panic buyers who have been buying out essential items including toilet paper, baby formula and hand sanitiser.

But the lack of certain products is leaving some shoppers frustrated and angry.

On Tuesday a man was arrested at a Lismore supermarket after he assaulted multiple people when he was unable to find items he was wanting to buy.

It is alleged he became agitated and pushed his trolley into two elderly women, believed to be in their 70s, and knocked one to the ground.

He then pinned a female staff member against the shelving and punched her in the chest and face. 

In early March a man was tasered when a petty argument over toilet paper turned into a brawl at the Tamworth Shoppingworld.

On Wednesday, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison urged Australians not to hoard products.

"It is not sensible, it is not helpful and, I've got to say, it has been one of the most disappointing things I have seen in Australian behaviour in response to this crisis.

"There is no reason for people to be hoarding supplies from fear of a lockdown or anything like this." 

NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Jeff Loy says the community shouldn't feel uneasy and bad behaviour will not be tolerated.

He says the increased police presence will help to control supermarkets during the stressful time.

"Despite these unprecedented circumstances, we are working hard to maintain a sense of normality for the wider community," Loy told nine.com.au.

To combat the shortages, many supermarkets have now put in limits to allow more people to buy the in-demand items including hand sanitiser, baby formula and toilet paper.

Some stores have started elderly-only check out lanes and shopping hours to allow for the more vulnerable to shop, without the hassle of panic buyers.

Australia currently has 568 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 23 of these cases have recovered. So far there have been six deaths in Australia from coronavirus.