Staff at a popular Birmingham curry house have been left counting the cost after a brazen group of young women enjoyed a lavish feast before executing a well-coordinated dash without settling their £130 bill.
The incident, captured on the restaurant's CCTV, shows the four women casually walking out of Royal Watan on Stratford Road in Sparkbrook, leaving behind empty plates and an unpaid tab for their extensive order.
The Lavish Order They Never Paid For
According to frustrated restaurant management, the group enjoyed a substantial meal typically associated with celebratory gatherings. Their order included:
- Multiple portions of chicken tikka masala
- Pilau rice
- Freshly baked naan bread
- Various other traditional dishes
The total bill came to approximately £130, a significant loss for a local business operating on tight margins.
The Great Escape: Caught on Camera
Security footage from the establishment shows the moment the group made their exit. One woman can be seen strategically positioning herself near the door before all four swiftly left the premises, leaving staff stunned.
"They knew exactly what they were doing," a restaurant representative stated. "It was clearly planned. They enjoyed their meal, waited for the right moment, and just walked out casually as if nothing was wrong."
A Growing Problem for Hospitality Industry
This incident highlights the growing concern of dine-and-dash scams plaguing restaurants across the UK. Many establishments, particularly independent businesses like Royal Watan, are implementing stricter payment policies, including requesting payment before meals for larger groups.
West Midlands Police have been notified of the incident and are reviewing the CCTV footage. The restaurant has shared the images on social media in hopes of identifying the individuals involved.
This brazen act serves as a warning to other restaurants in the area and underscores the challenges faced by the hospitality industry in combating premeditated theft.
