A fast food restaurant has banned people under 21 from eating inside its Strood branch if they are in a group, due to anti-social behaviour.

McDonald’s in Commercial Road have placed a temporary restriction on customers under 21 from eating inside the restaurant if they are in a group of more than two, unless they are accompanied by an adult.

A mum has taken to social media to complain about the rules.

Her 18-year-old son visited the fast food giant on a break from work at 5.15pm on Wednesday and was allegedly told that as he was under 21 and wasn’t with an adult he wasn’t allowed to eat inside.

She rang the store and spoke to the manager, who reportedly said that from 5pm customers who wish to eat inside have to be over 21, or have an adult with them.

She claims she was told that levels of violence at the branch are quite high and the incidents are normally alcohol induced.

She added that he son will now go somewhere else, where he is allowed to sit inside and eat food that he has purchased.

A McDonald’s spokesman said: “With regret, our Commercial Road restaurant has experienced incidences of anti-social behaviour which we are working closely with local police and other businesses to address.

“As a result, we have placed a temporary restriction on those under the age of 21 from eating inside the restaurant in groups of more than two, unless they are accompanied by an adult.”

"Measures like this are a last resort and are taken in the interests of the safety of our customers and colleagues.

“This policy is under constant review and we hope that by working with the local police and community we can resolve the ongoing issues.

“We are disappointed that other young people are being affected by the behaviour of a handful of disruptive individuals.”

It is up to the discretion of staff to decide how old an accompanying adult must be.

On Thursday night a group of about 40 youths were causing havoc outside McDonald’s in Gillingham High Street, according to a witness.

He said: “Of an evening the high street is slowly turning into Beirut.

"There was 35-40 youths smashing bottles in the street causing havoc.”

Officers were called just before 7pm to reports a group of young people were acting in an anti social manner. Officers attended but no arrests were made.

Security guards are also employed to keep an eye on any troublemakers at the High Street, Chatham branch and two men are regularly seen working there.