Coronavirus: Mayor Khal Asfour sprays public over toilet paper raids
A southwest Sydney mayor has sprayed the general public for cleaning out the toilet paper supplies and hand sanitiser from libraries and public toilets - with people taking 400 rolls a week.
The Express
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Residents have begun raiding the public facilities across Canterbury Bankstown for the elusive toilet paper rolls, sparking a council appeal for it to stop.
Public toilets in playgrounds, libraries and public toilets are being cleaned out with Mayor Khal Asfour saying he is appalled at the “significant number of rolls being stolen”.
He said there had been a 30 per cent spike in the theft of toilet paper rolls across the city.
“It is a double whammy because not only we have seen a significant increase in the theft of toilet rolls but our supplier has rased our prices threefold,” Cr Asfour said.
Residents have become more brazen this week due to the massive shortage of toilet rolls at all supermarkets in Sydney following the spread of the coronavirus.
“It is unAustralian to have steal toilet papers from public facilities,” Cr Asfour said.
“I am not about to start closing public toilets, all I am asking is that people do the right thing.
“Please don’t steal toilet paper rolls from libraries, public playgrounds, local parks and public toilets.”
Cr Asfour asked for the community to think of the elderly and the most vulnerable.
“I am absolutely appalled at some people who are stealing the toilet paper rolls but a majority of people are doing the right thing.”
Cr Asfour said they have noticed 400 rolls being stolen a week even though there are less people using the public facilities due to some closures and less attendance due to the coronavirus.
All swimming pools in the city and libraries in Earlwood, Greenacre, Lakemba, Padstow and Panania have been closed from Wednesday, March 18 due to the coronavirus.
Libraries in Bankstown, Campsie, Chester Hill and Riverwood, however, remain open.
Hand sanitisers have also been lifted off the facilities and the council is scrambling to stop the robberies and ensure the public are not short changed when using the toilets.
On the morning of Saturday, March 7, three women began fighting over toilet rolls at the Woolworths store at Chullora Marketplace, with the video going viral in Australia and overseas.
Two women have been charged for affray over this incident and will front court next month.
And a clear sign the police are worried about the escalation of the panic buying, Deputy Police Commissioner Jeff Loy has announced his officers will patrol supermarket aisles.
Meanwhile, a Georges Hall man has been arrested and charged after allegedly assaulting a 54-year-old man at a Bass Hill supermarket on Sunday around 12.30pm, March 15.
However, Bankstown Police said they not believe the men were arguing over groceries.
The 38-year-old Georges Hall man has been charged with common assault and will face court on April 1.