Dine and dash mental health toll on restaurant staff

Amanda Brighton said her venue was recently targeted by a group who failed to pay and claimed they had found a shard of glass in the food

Restaurant bosses have spoken out about the financial and mental health impact caused by dine and dash thieves, in a sector still affected by the pandemic and rising food prices.

Some have told the BBC they have experienced customers running off without paying or putting glass in food to avoid paying the full bill.

The National Police Chiefs' Council said theft could have a significant impact on individuals, businesses and communities.

Amanda Brighton, director of Joe's Bar and Grill in Oxford, said her venue was recently targeted by a group who failed to pay.

"We had a group of people come in, they ordered a lot of food at once and a lot of expensive drinks and their bill was £230," she said.

She said running up a large bill was only the first part of the scam. The group then said they had found a piece of glass in their food.

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