Police raced to a Swindon supermarket this afternoon after reports of a disorder breaking out.
Officers were called when an argument – thought to have started over the attempted stockpiling of biscuits – at Sainsbury’s in Bridgemead, began at shortly before 1pm.
Four police vehicles responded to the incident, which had already been defused by an off-duty police officer who is said to have been shopping there at the time of the fracas.
A spokesperson for Wiltshire Police said: “At around 12.40pm today (19/03) we were called to Sainsbury’s in Bridgemead, Swindon, due to reports of a low-level disorder.
“The matter, which was a verbal argument rather than a physical altercation, was resolved by an off-duty police officer who was at the scene and no further police action was needed.”
Store staff said officers were now regularly attending supermarkets across the county, but Wiltshire Police deny that any additional patrols have been put in place over stockpiling concerns.
“At this stage we are not carrying out extra patrols to supermarkets or other shops, but our Community Policing officers and PCSOs out on patrol will continue to visit these businesses as they would normally”, the spokesperson added.