ROWDY teenagers are causing misery for staff and diners at a Southampton fast food restaurant.

A police investigation has been launched after reports of youngsters throwing food about and verbal abuse directed towards staff at Swaythling McDonald’s.

School teachers, including one head teacher, have even visited the restaurant in a bid to end the trouble.

The action comes after restaurant staff complained to city councillor Bob Painton, who was told that incidents were taking place on a “daily basis”.

Police say the students are believed to attend St George Catholic College and Cantell School.

Harry Kutty, head teacher of Cantell, visited the restaurant with Mr Painton and a member of the school’s leadership team. He said said Cantell took a “zero-tolerance” approach towards unruly behaviour, adding: “We expect the highest of standards from our students in school and the same applies to when they walk to and from school.

“Having been informed that one of our students could have been involved in one of these incidents, we worked closely with the restaurant management, Cllr Painton and the PCSO team.

“As a result of this joint effort, one student from our school was identified in amongst a number and has been sanctioned in line with school policy.

“Having maintained a presence at the restaurant last week, it is clear that very few students from Cantell go to McDonald’s after school.

“Those that do, apart from this one individual, are polite, courteous and behave in an appropriate manner.”

PCSO David Scott, of Portswood’s policing team, said that an investigation into the anti-social behaviour had been launched.

A spokesman for McDonald’s said its Swaythling outlet, in High Road, said: “We take advice from local police regarding these matters and in this instance, teachers from local schools are choosing to provide a physical presence in the restaurant after school hours, discouraging bad behaviours.

“During these times we are ensuring the restaurant is fully-staffed, enabling quicker service, so the reason for longer staying-time is reduced.

“No additional security is being provided as we are hopeful all measures and steps being taken will negate this need.

“We can also confirm that no pupils have been banned. We always take steps to prevent this measure, which is only actioned as a last resort.”

Mr Painton is now urging the students to curb their behaviour and use the restaurant for its primary purpose.

He added: “I respect the schoolchildren going to the McDonald’s to catch their buses to wherever they are going, but I would appeal to them to use calm and constraint and respect the restaurant for what it is for – eating.

“Pupils should respect the journey that they take and should not disrupt the community at all as they walk home from school.

“This restaurant is a service for everybody. McDonald’s restaurants do a lot of community work and that should not be abused by others.”

St George Catholic College refused to comment when contacted by the Echo.