This is the moment a Basingstoke shopper insults and taunts a police officer for asking him why he wasn't wearing a mask. 

The policeman was called a "monster" and described as "being on a power trip" by the furious customer at WH Smiths in Basingstoke.

The incident was recorded by the unnamed male and has gone viral after being published on Facebook. 

It is understood the male had caught the attention of security while shopping in Basingstoke as he wasn't wearing a mask.

The officer asked for proof that the man was medically exempt from wearing a mask and the row escalated. 

READ MORE: YouTuber feels 'profiled' after being stopped by Top of Town street rangers 

Basingstoke Gazette: The shopper hurled insults at the police officer, who remained calm The shopper hurled insults at the police officer, who remained calm

A member of staff at the store told The Gazette the incident happened over a month ago.

When the officer challenged him about it, he said: “Why are you harassing me? I have a lanyard.”

The policeman said the man had not disclosed his exemption which the male replied he didn’t have to.

The male shopper said: "This is embarrassing, Basingstoke has already been ridiculed before with its PCSOs."

READ MORE: Council urges Basingstoke residents to respect shop staff 

Basingstoke Gazette: The incident happened at WH Smith in Basingstoke last month (Google)The incident happened at WH Smith in Basingstoke last month (Google)

He continued: “Can you go into Morrisons or Wilkos then and ask them to leave for not wearing masks? It is an illogical fallacy. I don’t need any help or assistance, leave me alone.”

He then claimed that the officer, who stood calmly some distance away from him, was causing him “mental distress”.

Instead of leaving the store, the male continued to film the officer and taunt him, making comments about him being “a monster” and getting in the way of shoppers.

Watch the video below 

READ MORE: Basingstoke residents using 64,000 disposable masks A DAY 

After nine minutes of verbal exchanges, the officer leaves and the shopper walks out after him, continuing to taunt the policeman. 

Eventually, the police officer asks for the male's details which appears to finally encourage the man to leave the area. 

Having to have the last word, the male shouts as he quickly walks away: "Oh yeah, please buddy, let me give you my info so you can report me! Tail between the legs."

  • Do you know who the male shopper is? Email newsdesk@basingstokegazette.co.uk