Shock tactics used by ‘dine and dashers’ exposed — including ‘emergency’ nappy changes and hair hidden in food

From dropping stray hairs into the dishes to emergency nappy changes, suspicious “eating and dashing” incidents in restaurants and bars are revealing ever more elaborate and sophisticated ways to avoid detection as police try to solve crimes.

Police chiefs describe damaging crime as “largely opportunistic”, but analysis of thousands of reports recorded across the country shows Independent It shows the extent of planning and the brazen attitude taken by the alleged criminals.

And that’s a crime that almost everyone gets away with. Only 3 per cent of 2,137 “free runs” reported in pubs and restaurants over the past two years led to people being charged, according to data from 22 police forces in England and Wales.

This has led to restaurant bosses being forced to take action, with some already taking advance payments for meals to protect themselves in a challenging environment where food prices are rising and prices and employment costs are rising.

Placing food on a plate

“I was speechless, it was absolutely incredible,” said Jez Hives, manager of The Dial Restaurant, as he watched CCTV footage of a customer claiming hair was in his food as he walked out with his suspected accomplice without paying the £165 bill for steak and cocktails.

“I watched and saw him gather hair from his head three times and sprinkle it into his food before picking it up to complain. ‘How could he do that?’ I thought. “It really took me and my staff back to see the lengths people will go to get free food.”

Mr Hives said the incident, which is still being investigated by Staffordshire Police, had also taken a toll on his workers. “The young staff here; they feel responsible and guilty for someone else stealing food. I’m more worried about the impact on them than the cost,” he said.

Other incidents across the country appear to be deceptive and suspects use distractions to escape.

Changing baby’s diaper

A report recorded in Cleveland stated that two men and two women ordered food and drinks worth a total of £133 at a restaurant before the two women went out to change the baby’s nappy. They were then followed by two men and they all then got into a car without paying.

The investigation was closed before any suspects could be identified.

In Staffordshire, CCTV allegedly caught a member of a group of four dining out putting Rizla rolling paper in their food, then complaining and refusing to pay along with the rest of the party. Records show that many suspected “eaters and runs” use the same tactic, but using fingernails, plastic and even glass.

In most cases, suspected criminals escape after going out to vape or smoke. Some say they stepped out of their vehicles to get cash after their cards were declined or lost. Others simply refuse to pay and brazenly walk away.

Police in West Mercia recorded a couple entering a pub, ordering “the most expensive meal” and then running out the front door without paying the £230 bill. The case was closed after no suspect could be identified.

being sick at the table

A large family in West Yorkshire ran up a huge food bill until one of the women “put her fingers down her throat and got sick at the table and out”. According to one reported case, the family later left the area and it was closed down when no suspects could be identified.

Sometimes money is given, but this only covers part of the bill.

A family in Ellesmere, Cheshire, allegedly paid a bill of 100.70p at TGI on Friday, then paid 70p onto the card and made off without paying the rest of the balance.

Some criminals target not only the business but also the staff.

swearing at staff

A man in Norfolk stood up halfway through his meal and said:[this] Not Thai, fucking Chinese”. He then warned his boss that he would leave a bad review if he didn’t remember his card PIN when paying. He then walked out without paying. The case was closed by the police before the suspect was identified.

said Scott Matthews, owner of Relentless Steak and Lobster House in Portsmouth. Independent It was forced to introduce pre-payment for drinks and starters after suffering a series of costly thefts. But even then, he said, he was still targeted.

In January, two men allegedly paid for £130 worth of food, then ordered several more rounds of cocktails, oysters and scallops (for a further £170 in total) and then walked out.

“I’ve seen it all,” said Mr. Matthews. “From those running away to vape outside to those leaving a £17 Primark jacket on a chair to show they’re not leaving. It’s truly shocking because this is not a victimless crime. There are staff affected here and a business that needs to be run.”

“We are telling the police, but even when we hand over the CCTV we don’t think they will be caught. This is trying to protect our business and our staff.”

Catching those responsible is a problem clearly illustrated by police figures obtained through a freedom of information request.

Of the 2,137 reported crimes, suspects could not be identified in 1,320 cases. In the other 201 cases, the suspect was identified, but the case was dropped due to reasons such as the victim not supporting the prosecution.

In only 65 cases (3 percent) was a person charged, while in 45 cases a community order, a form of out-of-court disposition, was served.

Those caught include Bernard and Ann McDonagh, who were jailed for a string of “eating and absconding” offenses after racking up bills totaling more than £1,100 at restaurants in South Wales. The judge in the case said it was “cruelly exploitative” for the couple to use their children to wait in restaurants, where the children would then escape by pretending to go to the cash machine.

Trade body UKHospitality claims a third of operators are experiencing “eating and running”, while almost half report the situation has worsened.

Chairman Kate Nicholls said: “Customers leaving without paying is completely unacceptable and puts further pressure on hospitality businesses who are already operating under significant pressure. This is not a victimless crime; it directly impacts businesses and can put staff in difficult and sometimes unsafe situations.”

A spokesman for the National Police Chiefs’ Council said: “We know that burglary can have a significant impact on individuals, businesses and communities, which is why the force is committed to tackling this crime in all its forms.

“Break and dash type crimes are largely opportunistic in nature and we would encourage all business owners and employees to ensure that when such incidents occur they are reported so that local forces can take action. While the police will always pursue all possible lines of inquiry to identify and track down offenders, any tool such as CCTV can greatly assist in this regard.”