‘IT WAS DISGUSTING BEHAVIOUR... IT WAS FRIGHTENING SITTING THERE’

Masked yobs tried to get into restaurant

A GANG of masked teenage yobs ‘terrorised’ diners at a town centre Mcdonald’s by spitting at the windows, shouting abuse and trying to force their way in.

Police were called to the fast food restaurant in Newcastle after the youths – some wearing balaclavas – tried to get past staff blocking the entrance.

But by the time officers arrived at the scene in High Street shortly before 7pm on Saturday, the troublemakers had dispersed and no arrests were made.

One diner said: “We were in there at around 6.30pm. Their behaviour was disgusting, from what they were wearing to their horrible language.

“They were spitting on the windows. The managers had to stand by the doors. They said they were not letting kids in without an adult. It was quite frightening sitting there.

“It’s shocking that this is happening in our town.i was annoyed to see them behaving like this. I would be ashamed if it was my kids.”

Another witness said: “They thought they were scary, but they looked like absolute laughable idiots.

“I laughed at the one with a skull balaclava and told them they looked stupid, at one point they were pretending to lick the window.

“I sat with my children throughout. Some of these boys would not behave like that in front of their mothers, that’s why the parents are probably unaware.

“They were winding staff up in and out. It was pure stupidity, they were nuisances.”

Eddie Leligdowicz, below, chairman of Newcastle Business Improvement District, is the franchisee for several Mcdonald’s in the area, including the one in High Street. He said: “We can usually manage the situation ourselves, but on this occasion they were particularly unruly and they weren’t prepared to listen to us. “We had to call in the authorities for some assistance. It’s not typical, but it does happen.

“Unfortunately the minority spoil it for the majority. This kind of behaviour won’t be tolerated.

“It’s on the agenda to try to make Newcastle a safer place to visit.

“There’s CCTV in the town and we would want to see those who involve themselves in such behaviour handed banning orders.”

The Mcdonald’s at Meir Park has previously taken action to ban under18s from the restaurant if they are not accompanied by a responsible adult.

However, Eddie said there were no plans to do the same with the Newcastle branch at this stage.

He added: “We have a policy that if someone’s behaviour is not fit for the restaurant we have the right not to serve them.”

A Staffordshire Police spokesman said: “We were called at 6.55pm on Saturday to a report of teenagers wearing face coverings attempting to enter the Mcdonald’s restaurant on High Street, Newcastle. Officers attended, but the group had dispersed.”

To report anti-social behaviour, call Staffordshire Police on 101.