A man had to be physically restrained by police officers, after becoming abusive and refusing to wear a mask at a Christchurch supermarket.

An eyewitness told Chris Lynch the man in his 40s, and his two teenage sons, tried to enter the Countdown supermarket on Ferry Road just after 5pm and abused security staff after they were told to wear masks.

Police were called and four patrol cars arrived.

The eyewitness said the man refused to cooperate with officers and was wrestled to the ground and arrested by officers.

His two sons were placed in the back of a police patrol car.

A police spokeswoman told Chris Lynch two people have been taken into custody.

A Countdown spokeswoman said” we are seeing about 20 incidents a day where customers become aggressive or abusive about masks, which is very disappointing and so hard on our team.”

“Thankfully the vast majority of Kiwis are doing the right thing and we’d remind everyone that wearing a mask is mandatory as directed by the government.”