Standing Together Against Antisocial Behaviour

Standing Together Against Antisocial Behaviour

Andrew Moys, Vice President for Impact, McDonald’s UK & Ireland

As the nights draw in and communities across the UK and Ireland prepare for the challenges winter brings, the government’s Winter of Action is a timely and vital initiative. Its focus on tackling antisocial behaviour (ASB) and retail crime reflects what many of us see and feel every day: the need to make our streets safer, our businesses more secure, and our neighbourhoods stronger.

At McDonald’s, we welcome this renewed commitment. For decades, our restaurants have been part of the fabric of local communities – places where people come together, where young people find their first jobs, and where families feel safe. That sense of safety and belonging is something we never take for granted. It’s why we’ve worked hard to play our part in addressing the issues that undermine it.

Antisocial behaviour and retail crime aren’t abstract problems. They affect real people – our customers, our crew members, and the communities we serve. When a restaurant experiences vandalism, theft, or intimidation, it’s not just a business issue; it’s a community issue. And when young people feel unsafe walking home from work or families hesitate to visit their local high street, the impact ripples far beyond the immediate incident.

That’s why partnership matters. Over the summer, we were proud to support the government’s Safer Streets campaign, which delivered tangible results: hundreds of arrests, illegal goods seized, and a visible increase in neighbourhood policing. But more importantly, it showed what can happen when businesses, law enforcement, and local authorities work together with a shared purpose.

This winter, we’re focused more than ever on that approach. Across the UK and Ireland, McDonald’s restaurants are continuing to invest in measures that make a difference:

• Enhanced security and training: We’ve rolled out training for our crew to help them de-escalate challenging situations and keep themselves and customers safe. Many of our restaurants now have dedicated security personnel, supported by teams remotely, during peak hours and we’re introducing new body-worn cameras for our restaurant teams.
• Community engagement: Our franchisees, who own and operate 90% of our restaurants, live locally and care deeply about their communities. They’re working closely with neighbourhood policing teams, sharing intelligence and supporting initiatives that deter crime and antisocial behaviour.
• Safe spaces for young people: For many teenagers, McDonald’s is more than a restaurant; it’s a social hub. We’re committed to making it a safe one. That means clear codes of conduct, visible staff presence, and collaboration with local youth services.
• Industry-leading safeguarding: We’ve partnered with experts from the University of Durham and award-winning charity, Power the Fight, to develop our safeguarding capabilities and are funding a new PhD programme to provide a deeper academic understanding of how businesses can better support young people stepping into leadership roles.

But we know we can’t do this alone. The government’s Winter of Action is a rallying point for all of us – businesses, councils, law enforcement, and community groups – to stand together. Because the truth is, tackling ASB and retail crime isn’t just about enforcement; it’s about prevention, education, and creating environments where positive behaviour thrives.

We also recognise the economic dimension. Retail crime costs businesses millions each year, but its human cost is even greater. When a small shopkeeper is threatened, or a young crew member faces abuse, it erodes confidence and wellbeing. By working collectively, we can protect livelihoods and restore trust in our town centres and public spaces.

Looking ahead, McDonald’s remains committed to being part of the solution. We’ll continue to invest in technology, training, and partnerships that make our restaurants – and the streets around them – safer. We’ll keep listening to our customers and crew, and we’ll keep working with government, policing bodies and business leaders to share best practice and support local priorities.

The Winter of Action is more than a campaign; it’s a statement of intent and one that attracts political consensus. It says that antisocial behaviour and retail crime are not inevitable – they can be challenged, and they can be reduced. At McDonald’s, we believe that when communities feel safe, they thrive. And when they thrive, everyone benefits.

So, as we head into the colder months, let’s keep that momentum going. Let’s make this winter not just a season of action, but a season of impact – for our streets, our businesses, and the people who call them home.