Farm restaurant targeted in dine-and-dash incidents

The co-owner of a farm and restaurant said she could not believe the "bare-faced cheek" of people after experiencing a rise in dine-and-dash incidents.

Rebecca Mayhew, from Old Hall Farm in Woodton, Norfolk, said between 2-6 February her business lost up to £250 from nine incidents of people not paying for their bills.

Mayhew said the farm was in the process of upgrading its CCTV and has not reported any of the incidents to the police.

"It's really disheartening for the team, they work really hard and we produce fabulous food and it's a lovely setting and to have people try and run out on bills all the time just makes you really sad at the state of humanity," she said.

When speaking to Rob Butler on BBC Radio Norfolk, Mayhew said the business was losing money over the problem.

"Over the last seven years we have never had so many people running out on their bills... I know times are tough for everyone.

"We've been comparing notes with other restaurants and cafes nearby and it does seem to be an endemic, people trying not to pay or not turning up to bookings is a real issue and I think people are really inconsiderate," she said.

Mayhew's business includes a dairy farm, a restaurant, shop, butchers and delicatessen.

She said incidents included builders ordering a coffee and then saying they needed to go to the toilet and leaving without paying.

"Our staff have chased people as well and I have been known to run across the car park and harangue someone who hasn't paid... you know if you've spent your money or not and people think it's funny - it's really not. I despair," she added.

Yet Mayhew emphasised it was not all customers.

"It's tough times for hospitality, people not turning up if they've booked a table, well that costs us money as we maybe have turned other people away - that's a massive issue. People running out on their bills it all adds up.

"Either you want places to go to and enjoy and we offer a lot for free here, or people just want to be able to do a drive-thru meal and that you have to support it and be an honest person," she added.

Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.