SHOPPERS in Swindon have spoken of their anger and concerns over a lack of essential items as the outbreak of Covid-19 sparked supermarket panic buying.

Social media has been flooded with images of empty shelves in supermarkets.

Morrisons in Dorcan, along with other supermarkets in the area, has set limits for customers on purchasing certain items including bars of soap, baby milk, bleach, toilet roll and tissues.

Commenting on the Adver's Facebook page, Kim Hannah said: “ Everyone is panicking about the virus. But they don’t think about other vulnerable people. Yes, everyone is entitled to buying whatever but, seriously, it’s a joke.

“I can’t find any hand sanitiser anywhere because everyone’s grabbed them. I have no immune system and waiting for a stem cell transplant.

“People need to think of other people too, buy what you need to buy but leave some for other people.”

In a joint letter, the British Retail Consortium asked customers to work together to ensure there is enough food for the country.

Jo Lilley hopes the panic buying will end soon.

She said on Facebook: “Where are people keeping all this stuff? We are just doing our weekly shop as usual and hoping that when we need something the panic buying will have ended and we can replace items as needed.

“ Even if people have to self-isolate, surely they have friends, family and neighbours? These people can go to the shop for them.

“ It’s the elderly and vulnerable who now can’t get things, and who might actually be isolated and not have family nearby and friends who are also elderly/vulnerable.

“They might not be able to ask people to get things. Leave items in the shops so they can have enough to get by.”

Gary J Fisher said: “Supermarkets need to control the amount families are buying.

“This is becoming crazy and the families that aren’t panic buying are having to panic buy so they can live normally.”

Adrian Costello said: “Shops should be limiting items as people are not limiting themselves.

“I feel sorry for anyone who has actually run out of loo roll.”

Katherine Corbett said: “I’ll be lucky if my kids can actually have a packed lunch every day this week, let alone any food for the stop cupboard! Seriously people, only buy what you need.”

Natasha Staniford said: “All managers need to limit items per customer and tell staff to not put items through the till if they’ve exceeded the limit.”

Sarah Adele Maddock: “ I think shops need to be limiting number of items per person/family as some people are going crazy, leaving nothing for anybody else.

“I’ve seen more empty shelves than anything. I was lucky to even find a thermometer the other day.”

Alicia Mary Thomas said: “Due to panic buying, goods will go up in price, it’s selfish. Think of the vulnerable people. You should be stocking up on vitamins and food that’s going to help your immune system, not toilet rolls.”

Katie Webb said: “I work in retail. We have had to ration, it’s getting really bad as a lot of people may have to self-isolate for seven days. People are buying whatever they can.

“I do worry for the elderly as a few of my regular customers couldn’t get their basic weekly shop… in a few weeks’ time, I think we will be like Italy at this rate.”

Firms are working closely with the government and suppliers and have arranged more store deliveries to ensure shelves are stocked, the letter added.

Chief executive of the BRC Helen Dickinson said: “Retailers are working incredibly hard to keep shops well-stocked and deliveries running as smoothly as possible.

“In the face of unprecedented demand as a result of coronavirus, food retailers have come together to ask their customers to support each other to make sure everyone can get access to the products they need.”