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A supermarket worker was spat at by a customer attempting to stockpile Pot Noodles while another was told: I hope you get the virus and die, as panic-buying blighted the nations response to coronavirus.

An eyewitness described the scene at a packed branch of Asda in the Wirral, Merseyside, on Saturday, as a man in his 30s attempted to buy more than the three Pot Noodles allowed by the store.

A woman in her 40s working behind the checkout attempted to enforce the rules, brought in to ensure stocks could be maintained, and the gentleman objected to it and spat at her, according to businessman Andy Smith, who was in the store.

The man then left the store without buying anything in a shocking incident that was barely registered by shoppers.

Everyone was so wrapped up in making sure everybody can get a bog roll or a Pot Noodle rather than actually having a bit of community spirit, Smith told HuffPost UK.

Its massively troubling.

The 47-year-old, a former prison officer and military contractor who now runs a firm training security dogs, called on the government to step in.

Were dealing with potentially one of the most hostile situations weve ever been in, in this country, he said.

Theres thousands of guys up and down the UK with skills who should be drafted back in ex-army, ex-prison service, ex-police, all in the private sector who should be asked to form a home guard type of thing and tighten the country up.

Youve got Boris banging on about the NHS what about national security?

The incident, which was raised in parliament by Labour MP Bill Esterson, was just one of the horrendous cases of abuse revealed by supermarket workers in recent days as some customers grow angry over restrictions and empty shelves.