A MCDONALD’S branch has announced that it will ban under-18s after 5pm amid reports of youths abusing staff.
The fast-food chain’s Liverpool Church Street branch confirmed that young people would have to be accompanied by an adult in the evening after employees were subjected to “verbal and physical abuse.”
Reports of anti-social behaviour have led the chain to close its doors to teens at night.
One customer described chaotic scenes as the new policy was put into practice to the Liverpool Echo, saying: “As I was leaving the security guard stopped a man he believed to be a teenager and told him they weren’t allowing people under 18 into the restaurant after 5pm without an adult with them.”
The man reportedly told the guard that he was in his 20s.
According to the witness, the guard apologised to the youthful-looking diner and explained that it was a new branch policy.
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Discussing the reasons for the new rules, the customer said “I was in town the night before and there were large groups of kids all over Liverpool One and they were moved on a number of times by security near the cinema and in Chavasse Park.”
In a statement, McDonald’s explain the rule change and emphasised that it was, for now at least, meant to be temporary.
A spokesperson for the fast food giant said: “Over recent weeks, we have seen an increase in the number of incidents of anti-social behaviour in the area with our people being subjected to verbal and physical abuse.”
“We have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to crime and anti-social behaviour, and have temporarily restricted restaurant access to U18s from 5pm.”
The statement finished by saying: “This decision was not taken lightly and we are working closely with the police to find a resolution and help reduce these incidents.”
