McDonald’s to conduct safety review after video emerges of woman allegedly abusing staff, 18yo arrested

An 18-year-old woman has been arrested after an alleged attack on workers at a McDonald’s store in Adelaide, prompting the company to review security at the site. 

Two videos were published on social media page “S*** Adelaide”, which show the woman being removed from the food serving area and allegedly spitting at staff at the front counter of the McDonald’s store on Hindley Street, in Adelaide’s CBD.

SAPOL said an 18-year-old Port Noarlunga woman has been charged with numerous offences, including disorderly behaviour, two counts of aggravated assault and committing a prohibited act with human biological material.

She has been bailed and will appear in court at a later date. 

McDonald’s Australia confirmed staff immediately called police.

A spokesperson told the ABC that there was no previous record of bad behaviour by this person.

“We are not aware of any previous incidents involving this customer,” the spokesperson said.

“We are assisting the police with their investigation and will conduct a review into the safety measures in place at the restaurant.”

Tougher penalties recently introduced

It comes weeks after South Australia introduced harsher penalties for people who assault retail workers.

Yesterday, Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA) Secretary Josh Peak said he believed the new rules needed to be utilised by authorities. 

“Authorities should look at whether they can utilise the new powers available to them,” Mr Peak said. 

“These measures are about sending a message to the community that violence, abuse and assault towards retail workers is not to be tolerated.”

Perpetrators who attack retail workers will be handed the same punishments as those for assaulting a police officer or paramedics.

The changes have yet to pass parliament as legislation, but have been implemented by the state government as regulation.