THE Northern Echo understands that a security guard in a supermarket was manning the soap aisle, restricting customers panic buying due to the coronavirus outbreak.
On Thursday at around 12.40pm, Sainsbury's, on Victoria Road in Darlington, allegedly had a security guard in the soap aisle, allowing only one antibacterial handwash to be bought per person.
Hannah, 26, from Darlington, who was in the store at the time, said: "He also stated 'buy it now, as this will be the last lot we get in for a while'."
Sainsbury's are limiting purchases of soap, hand wash, tissues, cleaning products, rice, pasta and UHT milk to five of each item and limiting purchases of pain relief to two however says its securiy guards do not advise shoppers on deliveries.
Essentials, like toiletries, are limited in supermarkets across the country as people continue to panic buy due to coronavirus.
"I completely disagree with panic buying, I have struggled to do my normal weekly shop. I feel sorry for those people who are unable to get what they need from their local supermarket," Hannah said.
"I live near Whinfield Asda and the shelves are bare, there are a lot of elderly people around us who may not have the option to trail around different supermarkets looking for necessary items.
"Or those with newborns, such as myself, are finding themselves without baby wipes and nappies due to people stocking up. There is also no formula in the shops too. Fortunately I breastfeed so my baby won't be without milk. But what about those that require formula, what are they to feed their children if it all runs out?"
Hannah went to three different supermarkets on the same day looking for toilet roll, eventually finding some in Aldi.
She added: "People need to think of the vulnerable people in the town before they go buying everything in sight."
A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “We’re limiting purchases of a small number of products to make sure all our customers can find everything they need.
"Customers can be assured we are receiving new deliveries regularly.”
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