Restaurant owner counts cost of 'dine and dash' theft

Restaurant owner Neil Kimber (right), pictured with head chef Jack Longland, said: "People shouldn't be allowed to do this"

The owner of an Italian restaurant in West Sussex has spoken of the impact so-called "dine and dash" thefts are having on his business.

In a recent incident, Neil Kimber told the BBC how one table of customers at his La Banca restaurant, in Selsey, left the premises without paying a £400 for their meals.

Sussex Police confirmed they are investigating a "theft at a restaurant" on 31 August.

Mr Kimber said: "I want people to speak up on this and not be afraid. People shouldn't be allowed to do this, let alone to small businesses."

He said a group of customers had booked a table for eight people, but when they arrived it was a party of 10 - four adults and six children.

He said: "At first, I didn't have that inkling about these customers, but upon the presentation of the bill, the customers complained saying that the carbonara dish was raw.

"We re-cooked the dish and gave it to them. But, at the payment stage they started arguing.

"I came to help the member of staff and they got even lairier."

Mr Kimber said the group eventually paid £60 for their drinks, but left no payment for the food.

The party allegedly left no payment for any of their food

Mr Kimber said businesses in Selsey have a six week window in the summer holidays to make their money which will last them "all of the winter".

But he said he is seeing more customers "arguing over bills", adding that the cost of non-payment is not just financial.

He said customers refusing to pay not only affects his business, it also impacts local butchers and other suppliers.

In addition, he said following the latest incident, one member of his staff missed work the following day due to anxiety and feeling guilty about what had happened.

'Emotional impact'

Sussex Police said they are reviewing CCTV footage of the incident to try and identify suspects.

Chris Neilson, force lead for business crime, said: “’Dine and dash’ incidents have a significant financial and emotional impact on businesses, and we investigate these offences thoroughly.

“No business owners should have to deal with this type of behaviour.”