Emergency services were called to the KFC branch on King Street in Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent, at approximately 9:30pm on Thursday 30 July, after a report of a man with a head injury. The fast-food restaurant was temporarily closed while police and ambulance crews attended the scene.
The incident followed an earlier disturbance on nearby Victoria Road, where a window at a home was reported smashed. Officers initially responded to that call before being directed to the KFC, according to Staffordshire Police.
A 31-year-old man from the Stoke-on-Trent area has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage in connection with the damage to the Victoria Road property. He has been interviewed and released under investigation as enquiries continue.
Arrest and police investigation
A spokesperson for Staffordshire Police said: "A man has been arrested following damage to a property in Stoke-on-Trent. We received a report that a window at a home on Victoria Road had been smashed. Officers then went to KFC, on King Street, following reports of a man with a head injury."
The spokesperson added: "A 31-year-old man, from the Stoke-on-Trent area, has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage. He has been released under investigation whilst our enquiries continue."
Being released under investigation means that the individual is not currently subject to bail conditions, but remains under police investigation while further evidence is gathered. This is a standard procedure in cases where additional enquiries are necessary.
Ambulance response and hospital treatment
West Midlands Ambulance Service dispatched an ambulance and a specialist paramedic to the King Street address at 9:40pm, shortly after the initial police response. A spokesperson for the service said: "We were called to an incident at an address on King Street and sent an ambulance and a specialist paramedic to the scene."
"On arrival, crews found a man, who was in a potentially serious condition. He was treated and conveyed to Royal Stoke University Hospital under emergency driving conditions," the spokesperson confirmed.
The man's current condition has not been publicly disclosed. Royal Stoke University Hospital is a major trauma centre serving the region, providing specialist care for patients with serious injuries.
Impact on the local community
The KFC restaurant on King Street was forced to close during the peak evening period as the emergency response unfolded. A customer at the outlet said the branch was shut while the incident was ongoing, though the exact length of the closure has not been confirmed.
The closure would have affected customers looking to visit the popular takeaway and dine-in restaurant on what is typically a busy evening for fast-food outlets. The restaurant has since reopened, according to reports.
The incidents on Victoria Road and King Street have raised concerns among local residents about safety and the pressure on emergency services. Both police and ambulance crews were involved in the response, with officers attending two separate scenes within a short period.
Ongoing enquiries
Police have not yet clarified whether the criminal damage at the Victoria Road home and the head injury incident at the KFC are connected to the same individual. The 31-year-old suspect remains under investigation, and police have said that enquiries are continuing.
No further details about the injured man's identity or the circumstances leading to his injury have been released. The investigation remains ongoing, and no further arrests have been reported.
