A manager at McDonald's in Hitchin has appealed to parents to speak to their children as "it is not our job to continuously have to call the police to inform them that teenagers are stealing food and making a mess".

Christopher Stubbs-Race, a shift manager at Hitchin McDonald's in Nightingale Road, said he wanted to "reach out to parents, schools and teachers to talk about young people in our communities and in particular their behaviour at our McDonald's store".

Having previously worked as a mechanic and a landscaper, and worked in both England and Australia, Chris said: "With all my life experience and everything I have done, I can honestly say being a shift manager at McDonald's is one of the toughest jobs you can do."

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Addressing parents directly, he said: "It's our job to keep service flowing smoothly. It's our job to serve and dedicate ourselves to providing you with a service you can enjoy. It's our job to provide fast, friendly service and manage everyone in our store as best we can.

"However, it is not our jobs to discipline your children. It is not our job to continuously have to call the police to inform them that teenagers are stealing food and making a mess, abusing and disrespecting members of our staff or upsetting other customers.

"I would encourage all of you to talk to your children, and I would encourage all schools and teachers to talk to their pupils, and say this.

"Hitchin McDonald's is your store. It's not just the people who work in it, or the food we make, it's the happy memories you make in McDonald's that makes it a great place for you.

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"It's a safe place, where families can come and eat and everyone should feel safe and welcome.

"Have respect for your store. Have respect for the people who make your food and make those fond memories for you.

"Teach your children that if they want to have fond memories of their store, than they must clean up after themselves, respect each other, respect the staff and take responsibility for their actions."