Bunnings shopper spits on customer during mask dispute

A search is underway for a Bunnings customer after police say he spat on another shopper amid a dispute over a face mask in Sydney's north.

Deputy Police Commissioner Gary Worboys described such behaviour as "just disgusting".

“The man who was doing the chastising decided to spit at that man,” he said.

NSW Police said the alleged victim, 51, had engaged in a discussion with a man not wearing a face mask who then allegedly spat on him as he was leaving.

Addressing reporters at NSW's daily Covid-19 press conference, he called on anyone with information on the incident to come forward.

"It is not called for," Deputy Commissioner Worboys continued.

"These are difficult times. If people have an issue that they cannot resolve with some cordial communication between two people in and around these retail settings, they should ring the police.

"There is no room to act in what is criminal behaviour and spit at a person because you don't like the answer that you got in terms of a face mask issue."

The alleged incident occurred at the chain's Thornleigh store, NSW Police confirmed to Yahoo News Australia.

Despite reviewing CCTV, police's search for the individual has so far proven unsuccessful.

While Deputy Commissioner Worboys commended the majority of Sydneysiders for their compliance amid the public health order, the mask mandate has been breached in several notable instances.

Last week two store owners in Bowral were arrested in ugly scenes after police were alerted to a breach of mask restrictions.

Their arrest was filmed by a customer who too was arrested by police and later hit with an infringement notice for not wearing a mask.

Even the deputy prime minister was caught out by authorities after he entered a petrol station while not wearing a face mask.

Barnaby Joyce was slapped with a $200 fine over the incident.

In the previous 24 hours, 26 people were issued $200 infringements for failing to wear a fitted face covering.

Anyone with information on the incident can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or provide information via Crime Stopper's online reporting page.

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