Teenagers Banned From Eating In McDonald’s After Spate Of Gang Fights
MCDONALD’S has issued the first-ever ban on unsupervised youngsters after a spate of teen gang fights.
They are allowed in on their own to order a takeaway, but under-18s can only eat inside the restaurant in Meir Park, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, if they are accompanied by an adult.
The fast-food giant confirmed it was the first time the company had ever been forced to issue such a ban.
It comes days after police were called when 24 youngsters were caught fighting near the A50 by the restaurant.
Eight people were arrested and two air weapons were recovered.
A McDonald’s spokesman said: ‘Following ongoing issues with anti-social behaviour, the police advised us to introduce a takeaway-only policy in our Meir Park restaurant for unaccompanied under-18s.
'Measures like this are a last resort and taken in the interests of the safety of our customers and crew. This policy is under constant review.
'This is the first time such a measure has been taken.’
One parent has complained to McDonald’s after her 17-year-old daughter was banned.
She said: 'Two girls do not look to me like they are going to cause trouble.’
Staffordshire Police have stepped up patrols around the retail park. It follows similar problems at the Sneyd Green branch in Stoke-on-Trent.
Superintendent Wayne Jones said: 'Groups of youngsters are being drawn to the McDonald’s restaurant to use the free wifi.
'They buy a single drink between them or a small amount of food to legitimise their visit.
'Some choose to hang around until they are asked to leave due to the nuisance they will sometimes cause or the unnecessary amount of table space they are occupying.’
