OUT-of-work bouncers and security guards should be drafted in to man supermarkets and ensure that Covid-19 rules are followed, a council boss insisted.

With pubs and nightclubs closed during the pandemic, Kerry Smith, deputy leader of Basildon Council, called for bouncers to be employed across south Essex’s supermarkets.

It follows a host of supermarkets insisting they will increase the enforcement of Covid rules, with reports of chaotic scenes in shops across south Essex.

Last weekend the Tesco store in Prince Avenue, Southend, was forced to close as it reached maximum capacity.

Mr Smith said: “Lots of supermarket staff aren’t on the best pay, so if people are abusive, why should they sit there and take a right hander from them? The police also haven’t got the resources to come out and get people who aren’t listening to wear a mask.

“Why doesn’t the Government hire bouncers or security staff while the nightclubs and bars are closed to help man the stores. They could be on the door, telling those without a mask they can’t come in, unless they have an exemption.

“I’m sure there will be some who have been furloughed or have had a job scare, it gives them income too. So many establishments are closed at the minute, and these people are trained to deal with confrontation should they need to.”

Basildon Council revealed, since the start of the pandemic, it has received 40 complaints - roughly one a week - about supermarkets not enforcing Covid rules.

Gavin Callaghan, Basildon Council leader, has even been asked for help by store assistants after being met with a whirl of abuse when challenging rule flouters.

He said: “I’ve had residents come to me daily to let me know about problems they’ve had with supermarkets. I’ve even had supermarket workers say to me ‘please help we can’t do anything’, they are verbally abused if they take some of these people on.

“These places have earned an awful lot of money through Covid, they must put their hands in their pockets to pay for security.”

With issues also reported in Southend, Martin Terry, councillor responsible for community safety, said: “We are working very closely with police to ensure that there is more compliance with the public health measures and they should contact them if a staff member is unjustifiably confronted by any customer.”