A man in Worcester, Craig Brown, was left feeling like a criminal after he was mistakenly reported to the police by McDonald’s staff over concerns that he was drunk when in fact he was experiencing symptoms of his medical condition, facial palsy. The 46-year-old father of five was waiting in the drive-thru for almost an hour when an ‘overwhelming’ number of police vans suddenly appeared, following a call from the fast food branch in Blackpole, Worcester. The employees believed Craig was intoxicated and had been smoking cannabis, prompting six officers to order him out of his car at around 1 am last Sunday.
Despite Craig’s sober state, confirmed by tests, and receiving his cold food from McDonald’s, the police proceeded to question him. Craig, who had previously been diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy, a condition that causes facial drooping, explained that his symptoms may have been misconstrued as signs of intoxication. He maintained that he had not exhibited any drunken behavior or slurred speech during the incident. The situation escalated as he and his friend were asked to wait in a parking bay until the police arrived, causing Craig to feel shocked and humiliated by the unnecessary police intervention.
Craig shared his disbelief at the response, stating that the arrival of multiple police vans and officers was excessive and intimidating. He highlighted the lack of evidence to support the assumption that he was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Despite passing a breathalyser test, Craig was made to feel like a criminal, which left him questioning McDonald’s decision to involve the authorities without solid grounds. Following the incident, Craig expressed his disappointment with the fast food chain and indicated that he would reconsider patronising the establishment in the future.
In response to the situation, a McDonald’s spokesperson issued an apology to Craig, acknowledging that the staff’s judgement had been incorrect. They emphasised that the company’s primary focus is on the safety of the local community and clarified that although the team’s intentions were well-meaning, their actions were misguided. West Mercia Police confirmed that upon assessing the situation and conducting a breathalyser test, no further police action was required.
Craig’s experience at McDonald’s serves as a reminder of the importance of sensitivity and understanding when interacting with individuals who may have medical conditions that could be misunderstood. The incident underscores the need for greater awareness and training to prevent similar misunderstandings in the future, ensuring that individuals are treated with respect and dignity based on facts rather than assumptions.