В центре Уорикстера зафиксировано 253 преступления в McDonald's за пять лет, но возбуждено лишь несколько дел

Hundreds of crimes including assaults, thefts and sexual offences have been reported at Worcester's city centre McDonald's over the past five years, but figures show only a handful resulted in charges. In total, 253 offences have been reported at McDonald's restaurant in The Foregate, near The Cross in Worcester city centre, in the last five financial years between 2021/22 and 2025/26. The information has been released to the Worcester News following a Freedom of Information request which shines a light on broader issues with crime and disorder in the city centre at night. However, Safer Neighbourhood Inspector for Worcester Dave Wise has emphasised that people often come to McDonald's to report crime or seek safety and praised the 'positive role' played by restaurant staff. Meanwhile, McDonald's bosses say they pursue a 'zero-tolerance approach to violence towards our employees and customers'. Types of crimes reported at McDonald's In total, there were 87 assaults without injury over that period, 40 assaults with injury, 35 public order offences causing fear and distress and five reports of racially aggravated public order at the city centre McDonald's. Three sexual assaults were reported at the city centre fast food venue, two of exposure and voyeurism, seven of theft or unauthorised taking of a bicycle, 25 other thefts, and six of possession of cannabis. Other offences reported at the McDonald's included three burglaries, one incident of possession of an article with a blade or point, two of possession of other weapons, 11 of criminal damage and one incident of racially or religiously aggravated assault with injuries. The total volume of reported offences was significantly more at The Foregate branch than at either the McDonald's in Blackpole Retail Park in Blackpole Road in Worcester (38 offences) or Hylton Road in St John's in Worcester (27 offences), neither of which is in the city centre. READ MORE: Drugs and weapons arrests at McDonald's drive-thru, Blackpole However, there have been incidents at the other restaurants. We reported in February 2023 how two arrests were made for drugs and weapons offences at the McDonald's drive thru in Blackpole in Worcester. The drive-thru had to be closed temporarily while drugs were seized and a large knife. READ MORE: Gang of youths outside McDonald's cause chaos in Worcester In total, there were 318 reported crimes across all three McDonald's restaurants in Worcester over the five-year period, with the number of incidents peaking in 2022/23 when 92 crimes were reported. How many charged for offences at McDonald's? However, despite the volume of offences, figures show that relatively few reported crimes resulted in charges. The breakdown is as follows: one charge for 2021/22 at the city centre McDonald's; six charges in 2022/23 (one for Blackpole, one for Hylton Road and four for the city centre branch); two charges for 2022/23, both for the city centre branch; four charges for 2024/25, all for the city centre restaurant; four charges for 2025/26, all for the city centre branch. However, a spokesperson for West Mercia Police says the differences in the volume of crime between the three McDonald's restaurants can be explained to some extent by their different locations. Differences in crime figures explained The city centre McDonald's is a late-night city-centre venue situated between the city's primary rail and bus routes and a key part of Worcester's night-time economy. Because of its location, the city centre restaurant attracts significantly higher footfall and a different customer profile than those restaurants in more suburban locations. Safer Neighbourhood Inspector for Worcester Dave Wise said: “McDonald's at The Cross is a key part of Worcester's night-time economy and a near-24-hour venue located in the centre of the city, close to our main bus and rail links. Recommended reading: - Worcester knife crime figures revealed as fears grow over children with blades - New figures reveal scale of unsolved sexual offences on Worcestershire railways “It is often a place where people seek safety, report crime, or seek support, and its staff play a positive role in working with police and partners to help keep Worcester city centre safe. “The majority of investigations at McDonald’s The Cross relate to assault and public order matters commonly associated with night-time economy environments while the number of more serious offences such as robbery, weapons offences, sexual offences, and drug related matters remain comparatively rare across the period examined.” A McDonald’s spokesperson said: “We are proud to serve over three million customers every day in our 1,600 restaurants across the UK & Ireland. While the vast majority of visits are positive, we take a zero-tolerance approach to violence towards our employees and customers and work closely with the police to help ensure our restaurants are safe and welcoming places for all.”