‘Totally unacceptable’: Police Minister slams cafe patrons’ behaviour

The Police Minister has condemned the behaviour of a group of cafe patrons who allegedly yelled abuse and chanted “you serve us” as cops conducted a Covid-19 compliance check. SEE VIDEO

Disturbing footage has emerged of a mob of angry patrons surrounding police and chanting “you serve us” as the officers conduct a Covid-19 compliance check at a cafe east of Brisbane.

Police were called to The Vintage Apron at Capalaba on Wednesday after a complaint was made about the business not complying with Covid-19 restrictions.

In the footage which has circulated on social media, the cafe patrons surround the two officers chanting “leave the shop” while filming them on their phones.

The crowd becomes increasingly agitated, with one woman giving the officers the finger and others telling them “you are pathetic”.

Cafe patrons surround police attending The Vintage Apron at Capalaba.

When one of the officers tells them they are being confrontational, one man replies: “if you think this is aggressive, you haven’t done much beat work”.

Queensland Police confirmed officers attended the business to conduct a compliance check and a 53-year-old man was fined $1378 for failing to comply with a public health direction.

Police Minister Mark Ryan condemned the patrons’ behaviour.

“That type of behaviour demonstrated towards our police is totally unacceptable and I’m sure the vast majority of Queenslanders will join me in deploring it,” Minister Ryan said.

“Our Queensland Police Service are working hard … every single day through Covid, through general community safety initiatives and they deserve our praise and accolades and thanks.

“Those people who cross the line will obviously have consequences associated with that poor behaviour.”

The Vintage Apron owner did not wish to comment.

A Queensland police spokeswoman said with Omicron cases rising across the state, now was not the time to “wind back” on safety precautions.

“With Covid-19 and the highly contagious Omicron variant spreading throughout Queensland now is the time to remain vigilant and adherence to the safety precautions, and not the time to wind back,” the spokeswoman said.

“We will not hesitate to take enforcement action when necessary. We’ll also be ensuring mask compliance and while we take an educational and commonsense approach, we will issue fines for blatant disregarding of the CHO directions.”