SECURITY provision is set to be scaled back at a York fast food restaurant.

Door staff at McDonald's in Blake Street currently work at the restaurant between midnight and 5am, Wednesdays to Sundays, and following the arrival of the new franchise holder John Atherton, a second shift was introduced to ensure security at the premises between 4pm and 11pm.

However, from next week, the time spent by door staff at the venue is set to reduce by 90 minutes a day, meaning there will be 2.5 hours when the doors will be unmanned.

Mr Atherton, who has run the franchise for about three months, said the safety of his staff and customers was his "absolute priority", and he had increased door staff provision to the late afternoon and early evening to address public concerns, but confirmed the reduction of hours.

He said: "Having monitored the situation carefully over the past three months, the number of incidents in the evenings have reduced, so we have taken the decision to adjust slightly the hours our early evening security staff work to 4pm to 9.30pm. During the overnight period on Wednesday through to Saturday we will continue to have door security staff in place between midnight and 5am.

"I remain committed to helping reduce anti-social behaviour in the area and addressing concerns that residents have. We will continue to review our security requirements very carefully and make any necessary adjustments should they be required."

City of York Council leader James Alexander last year wrote to the restaurant after what he called "intolerable" behaviour by its late night customers, and the restaurant was ordered to reduce its opening hours, before a technicality meant it could return to 24-hour opening.

Yesterday, he said: "I have had several meetings with McDonalds in Blake Street and to be fair to them, they have been working positively with the council, residents and police to address the issues I and others have previously raised.

"It must be said though, McDonalds didn't get the people drunk who are attending their restaurant and creating antisocial behaviour. I am keen on the council taking more robust action against licensees who are selling alcohol to people they are know are intoxicated."