Ten troublesome teenagers have been banned from entering a Colne fast food restaurant.
The police crackdown comes following increasing problems with anti-social behaviour inside and outside McDonald’s, in North Valley Retail Park.
Issues ranged from verbal abuse towards staff and customers, to throwing stones, eggs, snowballs and other missiles at passing cars.
Now police have warned that such behaviour could result in “serious implications” and have urged parents to remain aware of their children’s whereabouts.
A spokesman said: “In the past, McDonald’s staff have asked various youths to vacate the premises as a result of their behaviour inside, where groups have been entering, one person buying a drink for example, and general bad language and nuisance has followed.
“On some occasions the police have had to be called to remove those who thought this did not apply to them.
“Unfortunately a number of youths have been identified as those who either causes these issues or associate with those who do. As a result of this, these youths have now been banned from entering the premises and from being within their grounds.
“This is in place until further notice and all members of staff are aware and nobody will allow them in.
“McDonald’s is visited by many families with small children as well as the older end of our communities. They should not be subjected to this type of behaviour. Nor should members of the public driving past, be afraid of being hit by a flying missile.”
And a McDonald’s spokesman added: “Our top priority is to ensure that our restaurants are safe and welcoming environments for both our customers and our staff, so we take antisocial behaviour very seriously.
“We regularly meet with the local police to discuss problems with antisocial behaviour and policing in the town. “We currently have a number of measures in place in Colne to encourage good behaviour in and around the restaurant including CCTV cameras inside and outside.
“Our security department will continue to work closely with the restaurant team and the local police on this issue.”