A MAN has said Tesco needs to enforce further restrictions to prevent ‘selfish’ panic buying.

Mike Kent, from Worcester, said he is appalled by the behaviour of customers at Tesco in St Peter’s who have been ‘depriving’ others of necessary everyday items during the coronavirus outbreak.

Mr Kent, aged 69, said he finds it unacceptable that the store management appear to be doing little to combat the situation, other than place a few notices around the store asking for restraint, which has caused the store to be low in stock.

He said: “We are told that there are no shortages, and that supply lines are intact. The elderly cannot be allowed to continue to live without items such as toilet rolls. They must do something now.”

However, A Tesco spokesman said the store will be introducing a limit of three items to its customers.

The spokesman said: “To help our customers get the things they need at this time, we are introducing a purchase limit of three items on all our products.

“Our stock levels are good, and we have daily deliveries to replenish our stores. We would ask our customers to please shop as they normally would, to help maintain good availability for everyone.”

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Mr Kent added: “The staff are the front line of the store. I would suggest extra security to be enforced to restrict all shoppers to a maximum of two like items. This could be paid for out of the massively increased revenue that they must be currently experiencing.

“We might have to go back to rationing to control the issue. There is no need to panic buy. People are taking the micky now. It’s selfish.”

Mr Kent has suggested every supermarket should open for a designated time just for senior citizens, before the rest of the public do their shopping.

He said: “It would be a step in the right direction. No one has been in this situation before and we don’t know what’s going to happen. The elderly are the most vulnerable group at the moment so I think we should do more to help them.”