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7 months ago
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A group of families have been accused of a mass 'dine and dash' after enjoying a slap-up restaurant meal and then fleeing without paying.
The mass theft at Exeter's Tamarind Bay restaurant left the furious owners £270 out of pocket.
The party ofadults and children arrived at the restaurant in a Land Rover and a handful of vans at 7pm on Tuesday.
Pictures showed the party had enjoyed curry, chips and naan bread with chutneys, and also got through dozens of drinks including Cobra beer and several bottles of Coca Cola and Fanta.
One family of three, which included a baby, paid their bill of £52 but the others in the party left without paying.
Manager Saiful Rahman said he had seen many 'dine and dash' incidents in his 17 years running restaurants, but said this one 'takes the biscuit'.
A group of 20 enjoyed a large meal of curries, naans and chips before walking out without settling the £270 bill
The group, believed to be travellers, also got through dozens of drinks including beers and Coca Cola
He said: 'We have never experienced a mass exodus. It was actually shocking.
'We didn't ask for an upfront payment as from experience this would have caused a fuss with them saying we are discriminating against them when other groups of people aren't asked to.'
He said that one man with his family of four, including two children, suddenly got up saying he was going to buy a birthday cake for table next to them from the Tesco across the road.
Waiters clocked on to the scam after they were followed by two other tables in the group, before attempting to chase one family as they got into their vehicle and drove off towards Exeter city centre.
Despite asking for payment, all five tables walked out without payment but leaving behind a large mess.
The party arrived at Tamarind Bay restaurant, Exeter in five vehicles
Mr Rahman said he had reported the incident to the police, but was told that as the diners had left it was classed as a 'non emergency'.
He said: 'I couldn't believe the sheer audacity. It seemed very well constructed and we had to clean up the mess they left behind. What happened is a big deal because bars, restaurants and cages are struggling, so I want some justice.'
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