A McDonald's store was forced to close last night and a police dispersal zone enforced after a gang of youths caused havoc, throwing eggs and intimidating customers and staff.
Following the disturbance, South Ribble Police said a 'large group of youths' were reportedly throwing eggs and 'behaving in an intimidating manner' outside the restaurant on Churchill Way Retail Park in Leyland. A dispersal order was issued until midnight resulting in two teenagers being arrested, reports LancsLive.
Officers said McDonald's was forced to temporarily close the store 'to prevent any harm to people in the restaurant'. They said this was necessary to 'tackle the main offenders and protect any innocent people eating inside'.
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In a Facebook post at 8.39pm last night, South Ribble Police said: "Due to a significant increase in Anti Social Behaviour this evening in the locality of McDonald's on Churchill Way Retail Park, we have issued a Dispersal Order which means that anyone suspected of causing Anti Social Behaviour will be directed to leave the specified area (Map attached). If they fail to comply with the directions they risk being arrested.
"The order remains in place until midnight tonight when it will be reviewed. As it stands one juvenile has been arrested for public order and another one has been arrested for failing to comply with the terms of the dispersal order."
In an update at 10.53pm, Sgt Atkinson and the team said: "This evening we did our best to keep the community safe in Leyland. Reports of large groups of youths throwing eggs and behaving in an intimidating manner outside McDonald's resulted in two being arrested and a dispersal order being put in place to remove the others.
"McDonald's made the decision to shut the store for a short while to prevent any harm to people in the restaurant. We know this may have inconvenienced some families, however we hope you understand that robust action was required in order to tackle the main offenders and protect any innocent people eating inside.
"Thank you for your patience and thank you to the kind people stood nearby who were supportive of our actions. I thank my hard working staff tonight for ensuring a safe result for the evening."
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