LACHLAN MOFFET GRAY
MARCH 19, 2020
The Australian
Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton has said a proportion of individuals stripping supermarkets of essential items will be prosecuted by the Australian Federal Police, suggesting but not confirming they are linked to criminal enterprises.
“We will come down on them like a ton of bricks … I believe they are the ones who have created this pattern of hoarding,” Mr Dutton told 2GB.
“They (Australians) are following the behaviour of people who aren’t purchasing for themselves – they’re doing it for profit, and reasons that are unacceptable.
Mr Dutton spoke as NSW police said the presence of offices would be ramped up in and around supermarkets in a bid to control hysterical panic buyers stripping shelves bare and causing public incidents.
“Police are making a concerted effort to ensure the security of shoppers and retail staff across the state amid concerns of panic buying due to COVID-19,” NSW police deputy commissioner Jeff Loy said.
As the response to COVID-19 continues, members of the public should feel reassured that the NSWPF will maintain our focus on proactive policing as we increase our presence in and around shopping centres and retail outlets.”
READ MORE: Follow The Australian’s live coverage of coronavirus
In recent weeks, two women have been charged for brawling over toilet paper in a southwestern Sydney supermarket, while supermarket staff at Lismore were allegedly assaulted by a man and there have been reports of “toilet paper tourists” descending on rural towns to clean out local shops.
A 63-year-old man will face court today, charged over the alleged assault of staff and shoppers at a supermarket in the New South Wales Northern Rivers region. The man allege…
Retail workers have also reported cases of abuse by panicked customers.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said any Australian panic buying should stop immediately.
“It’s not sensible, it’s not helpful,” he said. “That is not who we are as a people. It is distracting attention and efforts that need to be going into other measures.
“There is no reason for people to be hoarding supplies in fear of a lockdown.”
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