STAFF at Sainsbury's stores in Sutton have been met with difficulty since reintroducing 'no groups' in stores across the UK. 

It is believed that that the stores in North Cheam, Worcester Park and Cheam Village have been confronted by shoppers over the new restrictions. 

It comes as the supermarket chain announced that customers will be challenged about not wearing a face mask or when shopping in a group. 

Customers have taken to social media platform Facebook to discuss 'abuse' against staff witnessed in the Sutton stores. 

Your Local Guardian: PAPA

A member of Worcester Park Residents Association said: "Sainsbury's North Cheam, Sainsbury's Worcester Park and Sainsbury's Cheam Village have all reintroduced the limit of one person per household.

"I'm receiving reports that some people are refusing to abide by this and either confronting staff on the door or attempting to present themselves as being from different households. Staff having to deal with such situations are leading to delays.

"According to one report, police had to be called to intervene, after one attempted entrant refused to take 'no' for an answer."

Another person said: "I’ve seen the managers of two of these stores being abused by customers who were told this over the last couple of days. Horrible. They are just doing their job." 

Sainsbury’s has confirmed that security guards and 'more hosts' will be placed at the front of their stores to support the new measures. 

Simon Roberts, Chief Executive of Sainsbury’s, said: “I’ve spent a lot of time in our stores reviewing the latest situation over the last few days and on behalf of all my colleagues, I am asking our customers to help us keep everyone safe.

"The vast majority of customers are shopping safely, but I have also seen some customers trying to shop without a mask and shopping in larger family groups.

"Please help us to keep all our colleagues and customers safe by always wearing a mask and by shopping alone. Everyone’s care and consideration matters now more than ever.”