Bouncer says door staff doing police's job in Gravesend amid spate of violence near McDonald's
00:01, 14 October 2018
updated: 14:03, 14 October 2018
A door supervisor says a town is out of control at weekends and people like him are virtually policing the area.
His remarks come after several incidents in the New Road area of Gravesend over the past few weeks.
The man, who works at night at a well-known venue, says he often has to get involved in incidents to try and break them up or help injured people.
Just last weekend, a gang attacked two men outside McDonald’s when six men and two women, apparently stamped on the men’s heads and kicked the pair in the face.
It happened outside the fast food venue shortly after midnight on Saturday and one of the men attacked was taken to Darent Valley Hospital for treatment.
It is understood he’s not seriously injured but suffered injuries to his face.
A gang also attacked a homeless man sleeping in a doorway of a shop at the junction with High Street on Friday night, he was not seriously injured.
Thugs have also threatened to stab him on previous occasions.
It not the first time someone has been attacked near McDonald’s.
Just weeks ago a teenager was glassed in the face near the eatery and had to be helped by door staff.
Earlier this year, a teenage thug who repeatedly stabbed another youth in front of shocked diners in the McDonald's restaurant on New Road was jailed for six-and-a-half years.
The door supervisor, who we are not naming to protect his job, said: “It’s like we are policing the area every Saturday night.
“I see cars pull up and park up and just deal drugs right in front of us. We’ve told the police, but we just don’t see officers.
“There are fights all the time, just a few weeks ago a boy got glassed in the face nearby."
Ambulance crews were called after the gang attack last weekend and witnesses said women had to intervene to break up the fracas.
Lucy Boyle, 26, who lives in the town centre, was one of the women who saw the fight and stopped it.
She said: “Gravesend has a problem, every single night there are a group of youths outside McDonald’s and they make the place intimidating to walk by.
“At weekends it’s worse and word is that they beat people up for fun.
“I am in discussions with Gravesham MP Adam Holloway and the police about the issue as the night I broke up the fight there were no police around the town and police didn’t show up after a 999 call.”
Chief Inspector Andy Gadd, the district commander for Gravesham and Dartford, said: "Kent Police looks to use the full remit of its powers against anyone coming to Gravesend with the intention to cause disruption.
"In recent weeks we have seen two or three incidents which have caught the public’s attention due to their disturbing nature involving either groups of people in altercations or one person being injured by a bottle.
"While these incidents are concerning and Kent Police will be investigating them fully, it is important to remember these offenders do not reflect the attitudes or actions of the Gravesend community as a whole.
"Disorder by a small minority can have a bigger impact on the wider community and we will be doing everything we can to bring those responsible to justice.
"Gravesend is still a safe place for people to enjoy and the area has a dedicated team of officers who work to keep it a safe place. Officers and staff also work alongside partner agencies and local business to put in measures that are focused on preventing crime.
"Our message is clear, Gravesend is a safe place that we want people to enjoy and those who act in a way that threatens that will be dealt with accordingly."
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