Coronavirus: Peter Dutton vows to prosecute people stripping shelves for profit

As police patrol supermarkets, Peter Dutton suggests some people stripping shelves are linked to criminal enterprises.

Elderly residents shop during the dedicated community hour, but empty shelves are still a problem.

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.

It comes as Woolworths announced the suspension its home delivery service until further notice as a response to the coronavirus-driven surge in demand for groceries.

“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.

“If you have photos, or registration numbers, or if you have instances … photos, intelligence or information, I want you to call Crime Stoppers. “

A listener has snapped the busloads of people coming to regional supermarkets.https://t.co/Y38eCC4NJM

— 2GB 873 (@2GB873) March 18, 2020

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.

Even the meat counters are empty at Woolworths. Picture: Tim Marsden.

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.”

On Thursday, Woolworths announced it was cancelling its online delivery service due to coronavirus panic-buying.

WooliesX’s Managing Director said the supermarket would provide a priority delivery service for seniors, people with a disability, those with compromised immune systems and people in compulsory isolation.

“We’re also ramping up delivery capacity out of our dedicated online customer fulfilment centres in order to service as many vulnerable customers as possible,” Amanda Bardwell, said in a statement.

“It is a difficult but necessary decision that will allow our store team members to prioritise the restocking of our shelves in the face of unprecedented demand.”

The supermarket has also added fresh milk to its two-item restriction list.

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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.

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.”