The leader of Bromley Council says he has been "utterly sickened" by the "selfish, greedy and thoroughly anti-social behaviour" displayed by stockpilers in the borough.

Colin Smith today announced that over 2600 people had signed up to help residents in need, in addition to numerous road and neighbourhood group who have already self-organised.

But he also expressed his thoughts on those who have had a less altruistic response to the pandemic, slamming those who have left the shelves bare.

He said: "If I could perhaps add one extra plea at this time it would be this.

"I am sure that many of you will have been as utterly sickened as I have been in recent days by the selfish, greedy and thoroughly anti-social behaviour being displayed by far too many people in our local shops.

"If you are one of them, for goodness sake please, please get a grip, take a hard look at yourself in the mirror and desist from doing so again.

"Your behaviour is causing others less able than you significant avoidable misery, and in extremis you are directly threatening their health by causing them to visit more shops, at greater exposure to gather the necessary commodities they need to get by with their day to day lives.

"Supplies aren’t going to run out. So please stop hoarding."

A total of 422 patients who tested positive for coronavirus have died in the UK as of 1pm today, the NHS has said.

The latest figures also show there are 76 confirmed cases in Bromley.

Pharmacies today called on the public to only buy medicines they need now to avoid "creating difficulties" for others, the latest industry to speak out.

Mark Lyonette, chief executive of the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), which represents independent community pharmacy professionals, said providers were doing everything possible to maintain the supply of medicines.

Although there are currently sufficient medicines to meet demand in the UK, there has been an increase in demand for all types of product.