Northumbria Police has joined forces with McDonald’s to seek to put a stop to crime and disorder at one of its Newcastle outlets.
In recent months the McDonald’s restaurant at Westerhope has suffered at the hands of a small group of anti-social youths.
Staff have had to deal with offences such as criminal damage, violence and general disorder in and around the outlet, at West Denton way.
Now local officers have teamed up with McDonald’s to introduce the use of swab collection kits – dubbed ‘spit kits’ – which can be used to identify offenders through DNA.
In addition the Neighbourhood Policing team has also stepped up patrols in the area and posters have been put up telling both the offenders and people using the restaurant that McDonald’s and local officers are working together to combat criminal damage and disorder in the area.
Neighbourhood Sergeant Pinner Rana, said: "Together with McDonald’s we’re really working hard to stamp out anti-social behaviour.
"We’ve stepped up patrols in the area and devoted extra recources to it. Hopefully with the DNA spit kits and posters we’ll be able to target offenders and get them before the courts.
"The behaviour of this mindless minority is causing frustration for both staff and customers to the restaurant and we’re doing all we can to put a stop to it."
Dave Roberts, Area Security Manager of McDonald’s, added: "We’re very pleased to be working with Northumbria Police to ensure our restaurant is a safe and welcoming environment for all our customers and staff.
"Anti-social behaviour is an issue affecting many businesses, including McDonald’s, but we’re determined to put a stop to it and the working partnership we now have with Northumbria Police together with kits and a poster campaign will be a big step in helping us to achieve this."
