Today I parked my car in what I have always assumed is a council car park. My car was approached by 2 McDonalds’s security staff who proceeded to touch my car and place a notice under the wiper blade. Presumably this breaks some council by-law at least. The notice contained threats of further action, but provided no clue as to the ownership of the notice. No contact phone number. Not on official letterhead.
Furthermore, the area I had parked in had no signage to indicate ownership or rights of McDonalds.
Despite this, the McDonalds Security guards photographed my number plate. When questioned about the purpose of the photograph I was informed that Belgrave Police had requested this identification.
I would like to ask Belgrave Police to explain why these photographs are being taken. I have committed no crime here. I have done nothing illegal. Despite this I have been intimidated by McDonald’s security and presumably I have been profile checked by the Police. Why? For who? At whose cost?
UPDATE 03/08/2013
This morning I have had a telephone conversation with Sergeant Hall from Belgrave Police. He has informed me that the Police have NOT requested photographs from McDonald’s. He has also stated that Police would not be involved in identifying individuals from registration details and providing that information to McDonald’s.
So someone here isn’t telling the truth.
I know who I suspect.
An equally concerning issue is what weekend visitors to the area, or those who have no involvement in the protest at all on any given day , will be thinking when they receive such treatment. I cannot believe that local traders would be happy about indiscriminate treatment of anyone parking here and having their vehicles tampered with. How do McDonald’s think they are being community minded when they are actively warning people away from that area?