A would-be supermarket queue-jumper was tackled to the ground by police and arrested after he reportedly shouted abuse at Tesco staff and ...
A would-be supermarket queue-jumper was tackled to the ground by police and arrested after he reportedly shouted abuse at Tesco staff and customers.
Dramatic footage captured the man as he is pinned to the ground by four police officers outside the store in Middleton, Greater Manchester.
Police had been called to the supermarket amid reports of a man 'behaving aggressively' towards staff and customers.
The man, 21, was then arrested on suspicion of theft in connection with an earlier incident at a Co-Op store. He was further arrested once in custody on suspicion of possession of Class A and Class B drugs.
The dramatic footage comes as thousands of Britons ignored repeated warnings to stay home as part of ongoing efforts to clamp down on coronavirus by heading to DIY stores, parks and beaches this weekend.
Police were called to reports of someone 'behaving aggressively' at Tesco in Middleton, Manchester
Terrified witnesses to the scene in Middleton said the man began raising his voice after attempting to cut the line as shoppers observed social distancing measures outside the store.
Several supermarkets have asked customers to queue two metres apart outside stores in order to control the number of people inside and adhere to measures laid out by the government.
Robert Comnoiu, 23, was with his girlfriend Deena Potter, 30, outside the store when the pair 'heard screaming'.
He said: 'We had just finished our weekly shop. Then we heard screaming.
'This man came running from the store and knocked my girlfriend over as he pushed her trying to run away.
'A security guard tried to get hold of him, but he was getting away. A second guard then came and they got him on the ground.'
Mr Comnoiu said the security guards let the man stand up but after he started to be aggressive again, they kept him on the ground until police arrived.
He said Ms Potter was shocked but not hurt and added: 'I think he had tried to get into the shop without queuing like everyone else.'
Witnesses said he started raising his voice after attempting to cut the line as shoppers observed social distancing rules
A coronavirus assessment centre has been set up at Tesco in Middleton. There are currently five NHS clinical assessment pods
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: 'Shortly before 1.25pm today (April 26), police were called to reports of a man behaving aggressively towards customers and staff at Tesco on Barton Road, Middleton.
'Once in custody, the man was further arrested for possession of Class A and Class B drugs. He has been taken to hospital for treatment. There are no reported injuries.'
A coronavirus assessment centre has been set up in the car park at the store in Middleton, providing appointments for people believed to be carrying the virus.
The dramatic scene comes as thousands of Britons ignored advice to stay home by heading to DIY stores, parks and beaches over the weekend.
Thousands of Britons ignored repeated warnings to stay home as part of ongoing efforts to clamp down on coronavirus by heading to DIY stores, parks and beaches on Sunday. Pictured: People walked along the seafront in Bournemouth
People seeking the sun were also seen on Brighton's beaches as police officers told people to go home if they weren't out for essential exercise
Shoppers were pictured carrying items including plant pots, buckets and even a lawn mower at one B&Q store in York
The UK's coronavirus death toll also increased by 413 on Sunday - the lowest rise recorded this month - to a total of 20,732 confirmed hospital deaths.
People were seen heading to stores in parts of the country including Edinburgh, Swansea and York yesterday as data showed Britons are leaving home more often amid hopes that lockdown restrictions could be lifted.
Hundreds were also pictured being told by police to move on in Greenwich Park, Richmond Park and St James's Park in London.
Some DIY shoppers pushed trolleys filled with rolls of carpet while others were seen lifting enormous products into their cars.
Many had to wait in enormous queues as B&Q enforced social distancing rules. Some wore masks and made sure they kept apart from others so as not to risk spreading coronavirus.
In Greenwich Park, officers drove up to people sunbathing to remind them of rules ordering people to stay home except for essential exercise, to buy food or to go to a place of work if they cannot work from home.
Data from Apple Maps showed that driving is up four per cent and walking has increased five per cent among Britons compared to last week.
The UK is set to enter its sixth week of coronavirus lockdown today, after Prime Minister Boris Johnson introduced strict measures to encourage people to stay at home on March 23.
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