POLICE are searching for a group of women involved in a “dine and dash” after they racked a £174 bill on wine and oysters during a birthday celebration and left the restaurant without paying.
Staff at the Scarborough restaurant said they were “upset and annoyed” to discover that the group had not paid the bill, even after finishing their meals.
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Gillian Partridge, owner of Lookout on the Pier, revealed that the party of four had ordered two bottles of wine, oysters, a large chowder, several tapas dishes, and even received a birthday cake.
North Yorkshire Police has released CCTV images of four women involved in the “dine and dash” that took place on September 15.
The group was given an hour-and-a-half slot for their birthday meal but had to finish their drinks at the breakfast bar after arriving late.
Gillian, who has run the café on West Pier for five years said: “They were right near the door and took the opportunity to do a runner.”
For that to happen, it’s upsetting, it’s the cheek of it
Gillian Partridge, owner of Lookout on the Pier
The group reportedly told police that they were moved from their table and thought the food was awful, so they didn’t believe it was worth their money, according to Gillian.
However, despite the group’s alleged claim of terrible food, the restaurant owner said they told staff that everything was great.
Staff members even played Happy Birthday over the tannoy.
The café owner added that the alleged theft came at the worst time as business gets significantly slower during the winter.
“It has a massive impact, we can’t afford to be losing £174 on a Sunday,” she added.
Gillian’s restaurant is one of the few seaside cafés that remains open seven days a week during the winter season.
She added that even though the restaurant is open all week, it barely breaks even and struggles to cover rent and staff costs.
“For that to happen, it’s upsetting, it’s the cheek of it,” Gillian added.
Upon releasing the CCTV images of the four women in connection to the “dine and dash,” North Yorkshire Police said: “We would like to speak to them after £174 worth of food and drink was ordered and consumed at Lookout on the Pier Café in Scarborough, but was not paid for. It happened on the afternoon of 15 September.
“If you recognise any of the women pictured, please get in touch as we believe they will have information that will assist our investigation.”
The Sun has contacted North Yorkshire Police for comment.
It comes after footage captured the moment a “dine and dash” couple allegedly fled a restaurant without paying for their £120 meal.
And this is the shocking moment a group of greedy guzzlers who “ordered £390 worth of steaks and carbonara refused to pay”.
DINE-AND-DASH LAW EXPLAINED
If a customer or group ‘dine-and-dash’, they could be charged under section 3 of the 1978 Theft Act.
This deals with people who eat out and leave without paying.
It is considered theft if there is a failure to pay when it is known that payment is required for goods or services.
The offence can carry a prison sentence of up to two years
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