Police were forced to break up a crowd of ‘hundreds’ of shoppers queuing outside a supermarket.

Many of the people waiting in front of Sonali Supermarket, in Oldham, Manchester, were reportedly not following social distancing rules.

Officers dispersed the group without issuing any fines, the Manchester Evening News reports.

According to one witness, the shoppers were trying to buy supplies before Ramadan, which begins on April 23.

He told the Manchester Evening News: “There are more than 400 to 500 people are queuing at Sonali Super Store, Oldham for paan.

Officers dispersed the group without issuing any fines (Image: Getty Images)
A statement from Greater Manchester Police: “Police attended following reports that social distancing wasn’t being maintained while people were queuing to enter a shop on Featherstall Road South, Oldham.

“Officers attended, dispersed people appropriately and advised them of government social distancing rules.

“No fines were issued.”

It comes after police descended on a pub after it reopened to sell draught beer despite the coronavirus lockdown.

Officers in three patrol cars were seen questioning people outside the Malt & Hops pub on the Shore in Leith, Scotland, on Wednesday afternoon.

The pub had advertised on Facebook that beer would be available at “scandalously low prices” but it would be abiding by social distancing rules, including “one in at a time”.

The boozer’s social media post said it would be opening between 2 and 3pm on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday this week, reports EdinburghLive.

“Support the local. Cheers.”