McDonald’s staff in Greenwich have been trained to save lives with defibrillators and bleed kits.
Victims of violence, harassment, sexual abuse or hate crimes will be supported by staff at newly opened hubs — designed to be “safe spaces” — at three branches of the fast food restaurant.
They are located in Yorkshire Grey McDonald’s in Middle Park, Powis Street McDonald’s in Woolwich, and Eltham High Street McDonald’s, with more due to open across the borough.
The scheme is a council initiative aimed at tackling crime in the area by providing a safe place and advice for people in emergencies who may feel unsafe or need medical attention while waiting for an ambulance or police to arrive.
Locations have been chosen based on crime data and feedback from local communities about where they feel most safe, but the coucil said any business can sign up to the scheme.
McDonald’s was repeatedly brought up as a location where members of the community — especially young people — felt safe, the council said.
Police and Royal Greenwich council officers have worked together to train McDonald’s staff in how to use defibrillators and bleed kits in medical emergencies.
Defibrillators can be used to help anyone suffering a heart attack or going into cardiac arrest. Bleed kits include tourniquets, bandages and gels, and have been used by teachers and police following stabbings or other violent crime.
The training also covers how to respond to anti-social behaviour, safeguarding, serious youth violence, gender-based violence and hate crime.
Simona and Marjorie, who work at the Yorkshire Grey McDonald’s, have both been trained under the new scheme.
They said: “Being trained on how to use a defibrillator and having it at this location is a real asset, especially in an emergency when every second counts.
“The training provided by the council was really high quality. We feel proud to be in this position and potentially save someone’s life.”
Ann-Marie Cousins, Greenwich council cabinet member for community safety and enforcement, said: “Working together in partnership with local police, we have created Safehaven Superhubs so that anyone no matter their age has somewhere safe to go and seek help and support when they feel unsafe, have been a victim of hate crime or are feeling vulnerable.”
Terry Eagle, franchise manager for Eltham High Street McDonald’s, said: “Keeping our community safe and preventing crime is an important issue and one I take pride in.”
