Staff at a Merseyside café were left "shaken" when a man and woman made threats towards them after being challenged for "refusing to wear face masks."
The incident took place yesterday, July 7, just before 1pm at Kopi Coffee on Market Street in Earlestown town centre when a man and woman are said to have become abusive and "made threats to staff" in the shop.
Merseyside Police confirmed no-one was injured during the incident, but that members of staff were left "shaken" by the altercation.
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The force confirmed officers had attended the St Helens coffee shop and offered reassurance to those affected.
Marc Faulkner, owner of Kopi Coffee, told the ECHO the team were going to put additional measures in place to ensure staff safety.
Marc invested in Kopi Coffee last year, saving popular café Poco Coffee from closure.
He told the ECHO: "It's definitely not great. I particularly feel for the staff as they're all young ladies and have a right to feel safe at work and when travelling to and from home.
"Obviously we're going to put additional measures in place to keep them safe, and will make sure that nobody is working alone - which is a challenge in itself as we currently have a large number of staff unable to work due to school year groups isolating. But their safety must come first.
"At this point now I'm angry that anybody feels they have the right to treat my team in that way.
"The other staff are furious too that people have treated their friends and colleagues like this. I think they feel reassured now that the police are dealing with it."
In a statement today, Merseyside Police said: "We can confirm we received a report of an altercation at a shop in Newton-Le-Willows yesterday, Tuesday 6 July.
"At around 12.55pm, it was reported that a man and woman entered the Kopi Coffee Shop on Market Street and refused to wear a face mask. When challenged, they are said to have become abusive and made threats to staff in the shop.
"No-one was injured during the incident but staff were left shaken.
"Officers have attended and offered reassurance to those affected."
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Local Policing Inspector Jon Smith said: "This was an upsetting incident for those involved, and it serves as a timely reminder that we are still legally required to wear face masks indoors, unless we're exempt for health reasons or are seated at a table.
"Please bear this in mind when you enter a venue and be respectful of others at all times."
Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to DM @MerPolCC or @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 21000472678.
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