KFC’s security wing
Wire barrier put up to protect staff at outlet blighted by violence
STAFF at a fast-food outlet are having to serve food to their customers through security wire following a string of violent incidents.
In another sign of the state of Wild West Britain, KFC bosses had to install the barrier to protect their workers from being attacked.
It has strands of wire which are spaced far enough apart to allow them to pass orders through but close enough to stop anyone trying to get behind the counter.
The wires are secured to thick metal bars bolted on to the counter which run up to the ceiling.
The security measure at the outlet in Chelmsley Wood, Solihull, came after bosses at other fastfood stores in the West Midlands, including a McDonald’s, had to put bouncers on the door.
The wire barrier at the KFC was in response to a girl reportedly jumping over the counter to attack an employee, according to one of the branch managers.
Police figures reveal there has also been a string of other inciwas dents, including eight reports of anti-social behaviour and 19 cases of violence and sexual assault at or near the outlet.
A spokesman for KFC said: ‘It’s for our safety. A few months ago a girl jumped over and hit one of the staff members. So they just put it up for safety in August.’
When asked about the barrier, one staff member added: ‘It’s for our safety because of the fights.’
The incident involving the girl last April but a 16-year- old boy was also assaulted there when he tried to intervene in a row involving another girl in October.
He was knocked to the ground and suffered a cut to his head. Police hunting the two male culprits issued CCTV images in a plea for information this month.
One customer at the branch on Sunday, who declined to be named, said: ‘I’m not surprised they’ve resorted to this. It’s moody as anything. I’ll only come in the daytime as it is all gangs of teenagers come the evenings, it’s like they have nothing better to do. It’s always kicking off around here.’
Of the barrier, he added: ‘It looks like chicken wire, which is ironic. It’s unsightly too, it has an airport security feel about it.’
Customer Joanne Marshall, 19, a student, said there were security staff who made her feel safer. But she added: ‘It’s a bit unnerving to see barriers at a KFC.’ Local people were not surprised bosses had taken such drastic action, saying the outlet was frequented by gangs of youths in the evening.
In an online post, Dan Moore said: ‘It’s the roughest KFC in and around Brum without doubt. Seen loads of trouble in there.’
In 2018, McDonald’s and KFC in nearby Walsall resorted to temporarily hiring security guards after a spate of anti-social incidents.