A determined dad has launched a one-man mission to protest against the abuse of supermarket workers.

John Lawrence says employees are facing a gauntlet of hate for simply asking customers to follow government guidelines.

Chatham resident John Lawrence has protested outside Asda

The 66-year-old feels not enough is being done to recognised store staff and the difficulties they have faced during the pandemic.

So upset by reports of hostility, he has been outside his local Asda in Chatham during the course of this week.

He said: "There is so much attention for the NHS, the teachers, police and ambulance front-line workers, but not enough is being done in support for supermarket front-line workers.

"During the first lockdown, only one person per household was allowed in to shop, but now whole families go in at a time.

"There are too many people in the stores and nothing is being done. There is too much abuse going on towards staff with customers not wearing their masks or not wearing them properly, and I'm making it my business to do something about it."

Mr Lawrence is even calling on PM Boris Johnson to get involved, and for Asda management to support their staff more.

He added: "They're getting abused because they're asking people to follow the rules and I think those not listening to it should be named and shamed.

"We all know to wear our masks and if you're exempt, all you need is a lanyard. But people aren't doing that, instead they abuse staff when they're asked."

The retired safety officer, of Wyles Road, has been standing outside the store with a sign reading 'Asda staff are not here to be abused please stop it' and 'Prime Minister and Asda what are you doing to protect the staff in supermarkets?'

He added: "I want Boris Johnson to get involved because more needs to be done to protect supermarket workers.

"I'm doing this protest for exposure to the issue; I will continue doing it until something is done about it and the Prime Minister has taken notice and does something about it.

"Supermarkets are only thinking about profits.

"I don't think Asda are doing everything they can, I always ask how many people are in the store before I go in and if it's more than 500, I won't go in, sometimes they don't even count the number of people, which isn't safe for anyone.

"People are meant to be two meters apart.

"They should start using the profits they've made so far for safety measures to protect their staff."

An Asda spokesman said: "We have security colleagues and Covid safety marshals at the front of our stores to remind customers of the need to wear a face covering and adhere to Covid safety guidelines.

"We are grateful for the extraordinary efforts of our colleagues throughout the pandemic and we ask that all customers treat them with respect and comply with all the guidelines laid out by the government.

"We do not tolerate abuse towards our colleagues and where an incident escalates we will not hesitate to call the police.’’

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