It's like a war here in town

SMASHED WINDOWS SYMBOLISE AREA'S CRIME PROBLEM FOR SOME, BUT POLICE SAY EFFORTS TO FIGHT ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR ARE WORKING

- STEPHEN TOPPING, IMOGEN CLYDE-SMITH

IT WAS the reckless incident against a town centre business which has left people divided. For several years, Tameside residents have spoken of concerns about safety in the outdoor market square area of Ashton town centre.

So it came as little surprise to some on social media when the glass doors of McDonald's, on Warrington Street, were shattered in a mindless attack recently. Restaurant staff arrived to begin their early morning shift to discover the store had been targeted.

For some in the town, it was a symbol of wider criminal behaviour.

Yet with new initiatives and investment in the last couple of years, others in Ashton believe the town centre is now in a better place than before when it comes to antisocial behaviour, while police believe the McDonald's incident is isolated. No arrests have been made in connection with the incident.

Tameside blogger Massimino Malacrino shared images of the damage on Facebook. He says the post had a huge reaction on his Facebook from people saying they 'hate' the restaurant.

Massimino told the M.E.N: "I believe it should be shut down. A lot of people are being intimidated in the restaurant, it's disgusting. It needs to be moved." It's understood the incident took place at 4.10am on September 8, before staff began to arrive for the early shift, with someone kicking and shattering the store's glass doors. The area was taped off following the incident, but the doors have since been repaired in recent days.