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Leaving a restaurant without paying

If someone eats at your restaurant, café or shop and deliberately leaves without paying this is a type of theft. It is known as ‘making off without payment’ or 'bilking’.

To get targeted advice please select from the cards below before pressing the ‘see my options’ button.

You do not have to select a card from every category. Alternatively skip to the general advice.
No information is recorded unless you choose to report this to us.

Victim/Witness

Someone has run off without paying

You want to know what to do if someone eats at your establishment and leaves without paying

Someone doesn’t have the means to pay

You want to know what to do if someone eats at your restaurant but doesn’t have anything to pay with

Someone declines to pay

You want to know what to do if someone eats at your restaurant but declines to pay the bill

There are witnesses

Someone saw the incident happen

I don't think there are any witnesses

You don't know if anyone saw what happened

Your situation

I feel I've been targeted

If you feel that you have been targeted for a particular reason please make sure you tell us this

This has happened more than once

This isn't the first time this has happened

I do not speak English very well

English is not your first language and you may have difficulties discussing your concerns

The person who did this

I think I know who did this

You have details of, or suspect you know who committed the crime

I don’t know who did this but I do have a description

You have a description of what the suspect or suspects look like

I don't have a name or description of the person, but I have other details

You do not have any description or names of those involved, but do have details such as their address, their place of work, their number plate, online details etc.

Someone I know has details about who did this

Someone believes they have information about the person or people who have done this

I don't know who did this

You do not have any details of who is involved in this

Evidence

There is video footage or photos

You may have clear CCTV, video or images of the incident or know where there are cameras which may cover the area

They left something behind

The suspect may have left an item behind

There are verbal or written comments

The suspect/s said something, left graffiti, wrote something online or sent emails or messages

I don’t know if there is any evidence

You are unsure if there is evidence that can help with the investigation

Concerns

This is affecting my mental or physical health

You would like support following this incident

I want to remain anonymous

You do not want to provide your details

I'm worried it may happen again

You are worried that this incident may happen again

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Leaving a restaurant without paying