KIDS were turfed out of McDonald’s by police in the latest wave of action to tackle antisocial behaviour linked to gangs of youths causing problems at the restaurant.
Ten youths were asked to leave the Old Mill Lane restaurant by PCSOs on Saturday night after ignoring requests from staff to leave, the Barnsley West Neighbourhood Policing Team has reported.
The team said PCSOs were on duty at the restaurant after reports of antisocial behaviour the night before.
A post on the team’s Facebook page that evening said: “Ten youths were asked to leave McDonald’s after ignoring requests from staff to leave. Police state if you are not eating or drinking please do not use the location., ”
Officers have been asked to pay extra attention to the fast food restaurant to deter nuisance gang behaviour after it was made a priority by members of the North Area community safety meeting last week.
Cath Fairweather, community safety team leader, told members at that meeting how she had been on a late shift recently and visited the restaurant in the evening, seeing firsthand some of the issues being reported.
“I went down to McDonald’s to see what was going on and observe any problems and as we arrived about 40 young people were outside,” she said.
“Two PCSOs turned up and dealt with it very effectively but unfortunately as is often the case they (youths) just came back.”
PCSO Andrea Ford told the meeting how she and her colleagues were ‘constantly down there’ responding to incidents. She said they are making it clear nuisance behaviour will not be tolerated.
“We’re trying to manage and get on top of it,” she said.
“We have been giving community protection notes out to some of the kids causing issues.”
Coun Phil Lofts, who represents the Old Town ward, believes the behaviour being seen is partly as a result of cuts to youth services and told the community safety meeting that more resources were needed for young people, adding: “Young people gravitate towards bright lights and sometimes there are disruptive elements in those groups.”
On Sunday, the Barnsley West Neighbourhood Policing Team posted an update on its Facebook page saying it had visited McDonald’s to offer support.
It said: “It’s a busy Sunday for the town team, patrolling the Sunday second hand market, Barnsley Interchange, Mandela Gardens, engaging with local traders and members of the public keeping the town safe.
“PCSOs have been working with local partners in the interchange dealing with drug use / antisocial behaviour inside. A small amount of drugs has been seized and offender will be interviewed.
“A visit to McDonald’s on Old Mill Lane is the next stop to show a presence to support staff at a busy Sunday lunch time to deter antisocial behaviour.
“PCSOs will be there for the next hour answering questions and giving advice if needed to staff and customers.”
It isn’t the first time the restaurant has been the focus of increased police attention.
Problems in the past have included teenagers urinating and vomiting in the street, drunken antics, shouting and swearing. There has also been issues with partygoers being rowdy late at night after going out in town.
The ongoing issues have been raised at the community meeting since December 2016 and was made a policing priority by the community safety members for three consecutive months last year.
