‘Diners and revelers’ fled pub without paying £140 bill

A bar has released video footage showing six women brazenly walking out without paying a £140 bill.

Footage shows the women leaving the Wheelbarrow Castle pub in Worcester on Saturday, March 23, after enjoying food and alcohol. Suspicious ‘eat and run’ patrons were seen passing the pub pushing a baby stroller around 3pm.

The women spent several hours in the bar before fleeing in a dark blue 4×4 and a dark-coloured VW Golf. Landlady Sarah Hutchins said staff tried to chase the swearing and laughing women away as they walked away.

He said: “It is very rare for someone to leave without paying.

“There have been a few times before where people have come back and paid, probably out of embarrassment.

“It looks like they don’t give monkeys.

“When my staff went to clean their desks it was absolutely filthy and they even left a dirty diaper on the windowsill.”

Hutchins posted the women’s pictures on the bar’s Facebook account, hoping they could be tracked.

The post read: “These lovely ladies were part of a group of six women who decided to leave without paying their £140 bill!

“They took off in a car with license plate 73, it was nice of them to point the finger at our staff who were trying to chase them as they sped away!

He added: “You are the reason pubs close every day. It’s hard enough without assholes thinking it’s okay to stuff their faces with food and drink and then run.

Hutchins said he was forced to return to detective work after police refused to investigate the crime.

Hutchins claims he has been given the name and address of one of the women since the Facebook post.

He added: “I just want these people to know that I’m not just going to stand by and do nothing.

“Who gives someone the right to run away without paying and then curse and laugh at my staff?

West Mercia Police said the crime was reasonably investigated but no suspects had been identified.

They added that the case is now closed, but will be investigated if further information becomes available.

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A UK Hospitality spokesperson said: “It is completely unacceptable for any customer to leave restaurants without paying and shows a complete lack of respect for businesses and teams who work incredibly hard to deliver good service, good food and good experiences to guests.

“We encourage any operator who experiences redundancy to report it to the police.”

Is ‘eat and run’ on the rise?

The government has recently come under pressure to support retailers due to a rise in theft, thought to be partly linked to the cost of living crisis.

In October, it was revealed that theft crimes recorded by police in England and Wales had increased by 25 per cent on the previous year; This increase was especially sharp in supermarkets.

In October, Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones told MailOnline that “eating and chic” was a growing problem:

“It may be due to the cost of living crisis. But there’s no excuse for people going to a restaurant, having a three-course meal and a bottle of wine and not paying for it. It’s outrageous,” Jones said. . “From what we can see, the people who tend to do this are not typical thieves who are addicted to drugs or alcohol. They drive away in their own cars.

“This is a terrible crime, especially when people are struggling to pay the bills and keep their businesses afloat. I would urge people to share images online and name and shame them, as many business owners do.”

Six in 10 restaurant owners have seen customers leave without paying, according to research conducted by Barclaycard in 2018

The Metropolitan Police has eight helpful tips for restaurants designed to stop people leaving without paying for their meals.

1. keep it organized – To prevent theft, keep your parking lot clean, well-lit and with clear parking area lines. Equip CCTV with visible signage to deter thieves and make them think twice before leaving without paying.

2. Prevent an easy escape – Minimize exit points and pay attention to smoking areas that open directly onto the street. Have personnel patrol the area and maintain good surveillance from inside the building.

3. Capture their faces – It is recommended to install CCTV in your restaurant and cover all exits. This not only deters crime but also provides reassurance to customers and staff.

4. owner of the door -Greet each customer to record their face, maintaining a high level of care and attention to customers. This makes potential thieves less likely to leave without paying the bill.

5. Protect output – Consider the location of the safe for better crime prevention. A clear view of the entrance improves security, but avoid placing the safe too close to the front door.

6. Be interesting – Encourage your staff to engage with your customers, maintain good eye contact and use polite conversation. The better the customer service, the less chance of leaving without paying.

7. Get your numbers – Restaurants take mobile phone numbers for reservations and hotels ask for credit card information upon check-in. Call clients the day before booking to confirm and ensure authenticity.

8. Protect the business -If a group of diners arrive without a reservation, it is best to ask for a credit card before seating the group, especially large parties.

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