![\"McDonald's](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/mcdonald-s-restaurant.png\")
<\/p>\nA McDonald’s restaurant has seen a dramatic 70 per cent drop in police callouts after deploying classical music and a range of other interventions to combat severe anti-social behaviour. <\/p>\n
The branch on Low Pavement, situated at the corner of Chesterfield Marketplace in Derbyshire, had become a magnet for disorder, with large groups of young people gathering to fight, threaten employees, damage property, and intimidate local residents.<\/p>\n
A collaborative effort between the restaurant’s owner, Derbyshire Police and community organisations resulted in a Problem Management Plan that transformed the situation. <\/p>\n
By July this year, Inspector Josh Carter confirmed the significant reduction in incidents reported to police.<\/p>\n
During a single week in August 2025, the police control room received 18 separate calls relating to trouble at the restaurant involving groups of youths.<\/p>\n
The behaviour had far exceeded what might be considered normal teenage boisterousness, according to officers. <\/p>\n
Gangs were congregating inside and around the premises, engaging in violent confrontations, harassing staff and vandalising the property.<\/p>\n
Residents in the surrounding area were left feeling intimidated by the persistent disorder.<\/p>\n
A McDonald’s restaurant has seen a dramatic 70 per cent drop in police callouts after deploying classical music<\/p>\n
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GOOGLE<\/p>\n
In response, Derbyshire Police decided to draw up a formal Problem Management Plan covering both the restaurant itself and the neighbouring area around Chesterfield Marketplace.<\/p>\n
Inside the restaurant, a playlist of classical compositions was introduced during evening hours, while wi-fi and charging points were disabled at specific times. <\/p>\n
Certain areas were closed off at night, staff began wearing body-worn video cameras, and an employee was stationed at the entrance to control access during peak periods.<\/p>\n
Beyond the premises, officers conducted regular targeted patrols and delivered McDonald’s bans directly to troublemakers’ homes in uniform. <\/p>\n
![\"McDonald's](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1786856890_958_mcdonald-s-restaurant.png\")
The branch on Low Pavement, situated at the corner of Chesterfield Marketplace in Derbyshire, had become a magnet for disorder<\/p>\n
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GOOGLE<\/p>\n
Police and housing providers also visited parents to caution them that their children’s conduct could result in eviction proceedings.<\/p>\n
Chesterfield FC Community Trust contributed by organising activities offering young people alternatives to gathering at the restaurant.<\/p>\n
Walter Wright, who owns and operates the branch, said: “It is important to me that everyone feels safe and welcome when visiting our Chesterfield restaurant, and we’re encouraged by the impact these measures are having.”<\/p>\n
Insp Carter said: “This shows the power of a joined up, partnership approach to tackle problem behaviour.”<\/p>\n
The use of classical music as a deterrent against anti-social behaviour extends beyond Chesterfield.<\/p>\n
![\"Josh](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/josh-carter.webp\")
By July this year, Inspector Josh Carter confirmed the significant reduction in incidents reported to police<\/p>\n
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CHESTERFIELD BOROUGH COUNCIL<\/p>\n
McDonald’s has employed the same tactic at branches in London, Wrexham, Welwyn Garden City and Stockport.<\/p>\n
The strategy has also gained traction across the rail network, with Northern Trains deploying it at 48 stations to curb problems with large groups loitering on their premises.<\/p>\n
Local authorities have adopted similar approaches independently.<\/p>\n
In Liverpool and Barrow-upon-Furness, councils have installed speakers that broadcast music in public spaces to discourage disorder.<\/p>\n
Mr Wright added: “We’re committed to being a good neighbour in the community and will continue to work closely with the police, council, and local sports groups to understand where we can provide support and play our part.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A McDonald’s restaurant has seen a dramatic 70 per cent drop in police callouts after deploying classical music…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":739524,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[35884,84,924,55697,59,50,2331,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-739523","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-business","tag-across-the-uk","tag-business","tag-crime","tag-east-midlands","tag-gb","tag-news","tag-sgg","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/739523","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=739523"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/739523\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/739524"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=739523"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=739523"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=739523"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}