OUTRAGED residents are shocked by the "total disrespect" of shoppers not listening to supermarkets' plea to allow elderly residents to more time to shop.

As previously reported, many supermarkets have introduced shopping restrictions to allow elderly and vulnerable residents the chance to shop for their essentials before crowds empty the shelves.

Shops such as Sainsburys, Iceland and Asda have urged shoppers to be considerate and follow their requests to delay their shopping until certain times to allow this to happen.

However, Julia Veal from Southampton, believes this is not being respected by shoppers and said that elderly people were being "pushed aside" at Asda in Totton on the morning of February 20, which was packed despite fit and healthy customers being asked to wait until 9am to shop.

The retired policewoman said: "I was there shopping for my elderly mother but it was absolute mayhem. No one was being checked at the door, it was packed from 7am until 9am despite it being for the elderly. It's a total disrespect! Elderly shoppers were being pushed aside, and I even saw a younger woman take a toilet roll from an older woman's trolley but staff didn't seem to care. I was shocked by how people were being treated, it's an absolute farce."

Another shopper at a Southampton Tesco Store said: "I went there this morning to get a few bits. People Pushing and shoving. Was particularly appalled at an old lady being pushed out of the way for the last packet of free range eggs."

A spokesperson for Asda has again pleaded for the public to be responsible.

They said: "We are asking those customers who know they aren’t in these group categories to not shop at this time and let these vulnerable groups have access and to shop responsibly. There are enough essential items to go around."

Southampton MP, Alan Whitehead has urged the public to be kind so that the community can "get through this together".

He said: "This is troubling to hear. I have already had a number of calls from elderly constituents who are struggling to get shopping delivered online but who are worried about going out to busy shops.

"I would urge everyone to respect these hours and allow older people who have been told that they are in the at risk group, to shop at a quieter time. The food supply chain is not disrupted at the moment and I know local shops are working hard to get everything back on the shelves as quickly as possible. This will be easier if people respect limits on essentials and don't stockpile.

"Please be kind to each other and we will get through this together."