Warning over nuisance problems at Portsmouth fast food restaurants

Youngsters are causing nuisance at KFC in North Harbour and McDonald’s in Cosham, police have said.

The restaurants have backed letters that police are issuing to parents, which warn the children could be banned from the establishments.

Sgt Rob Sutton, from the Port Solent, Cosham and Paulsgrove neighbourhood police team, said his team had been cracking down on the issue.

Sgt Sutton said: ‘It’s not the same gang of youths, it’s a combination of different youths.

‘But they’re hanging around these sort of locations, they’re there late at night. They may have all purchased their food and drink, they’re there legitimately but whilst they are there they start mucking around throwing things around.

‘When the staff asked them to leave or quieten down they get faced with verbal abuse.

‘If you’re there with your other half or children getting your evening meal you don’t want to be faced with that sort of behaviour.’

A number of the youths have been identified on CCTV, allowing police to visit their homes with the letters from the restaurants.

Sgt Sutton said: ‘Some of them take it on board and suitably punish their children and others are a case of “I can’t be held responsible for my children when they’re not with us”.’

‘But we’ve got members of staff who don’t want to go to work because they’re worried about being subjected to name-calling.’

Meanwhile, police in Paulsgrove are tackling a parking problem at Portsdown Primary School in Sundridge close, Cosham. People have reported drivers picking up schoolchildren are parking on double yellow lines and on the zig zags outside the school gates.

Anyone with information about either should call 101.