Police attended a Severn Beach convenience shop after a man allegedly verbally abused a woman for not wearing a mask.
The manager of McColl’s, on Beach Road, says a man has been regularly “kicking off” at shoppers – particularly women and children – who do not wear masks.
McColl’s staff called police just before 8pm on Thursday (October 8), to report an elderly man outside the store was shouting at customers.
A woman posted on social media that evening: “Just been verbally abused by an old man outside Severn Beach shop for not wearing a mask (I’m exempt) and he also took my picture and a picture of a minor without consent.
“Just be aware if you have forgot your mask or cannot wear one, he’s stood with his bike shouting at everyone coming out.”
Police say the man left the area while the call was being made to them.
Store manager Tracy Bridgeman says the man has been targeting customers since shortly after coronavirus rules on masks were introduced for shops in July.
The store banned him from entering around four weeks ago, but Ms Bridgeman says he has continued to harass people from outside “at least three times a week”.
She said: “We’ve had lots of problems because of it. He started on some woman on Thursday night.
“We’ve had quite a few incidents. He seems to target either women or children.
“I’ve been trying to say to customers, if they’re exempt from wearing a mask, they could wear a card around their neck so it stands out, but it’s getting mental.
“Children and their parents have been upset by it. They should generally be wearing a mask if they’re over 11, but at the end of the day, nobody wants a man pointing at their children and taking pictures.”
Ms Bridgeman says the issue usually affects the shop in the evening.
She added: “When people come in and talk about it, I’ve explained to them he is banned and they will be safe when they come in – that’s all I can do.
“We cannot enforce anyone to wear a mask, but this man hasn’t listened to us.”
An Avon and Somerset police spokeswoman confirmed police received a complaint from the shop about an elderly man shouting at customers on Thursday.
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She said: “A shop worker called to report the incident at just before 8pm.
“As the man left while the call was being made, details were taken and officers from the neighbourhood team are due to contact the complainant when next on duty.
“Anyone who witnessed the incident or who was harassed, alarmed or distressed by it is asked to contact the team by calling 101 and quoting reference 951 of October 8.”
