Restaurants support Commitment Pledge to tackle violent crime

An initiative aimed at keeping people safe from violent crime has won the support of three McDonald’s restaurants in Medway.

The Commitment Pledge is a promise to promote responsible behaviour and take responsibility for ensuring knives and other weapons are not used to cause people harm.

It was created by the Kent and Medway Violence Reduction Unit and has so far been signed by 17 schools across Kent who have taken part in a workshop delivered by the Ben Kinsella Trust charity.

McDonald’s is the first food outlet in the county to have shown its support for the initiative, with Medway franchisee and ex-police officer Gian Chahal signing the pledge after being visited by VRU coordinator Sharon McCauley and representatives from Medway Youth Service on Monday 21 November 2022.

Posters will now be placed at the restaurants he runs in Chatham, Strood and Cuxton.

Priority

VRU Director, Chief Inspector Lara Connor, said:

‘Protecting young people from harm is a top priority for Kent Police and our partners within the Violence Reduction Unit so it is very pleasing that other members of the community share that commitment.

‘McDonald’s is a popular meeting place for many young people so we are grateful to Gian and his team for their support in helping to combat violent crime.’

Gian said:

‘I am so pleased to be part of this very important initiative. The future depends on our young people and this initiative will help keep them safe.’

The VRU is a partnership between Kent Police, local councils, health service providers and other key agencies that aims to address the causes of violent crime and support those involved and affected by it.