The Rise of ‘Dine and Dash’ – What Security Professionals Need to Know

In recent months, the hospitality industry has faced an alarming rise in “dine and dash” incidents—a trend where customers leave restaurants without paying. This behaviour is placing a huge financial burden on businesses, especially small restaurants already dealing with increased costs. 

As security professionals in the hospitality industry, it’s important to understand this growing trend and develop strategies to help prevent dine and dash theft.

The Scale of Dine and Dash Incidents in the UK

According to data shared by UK Hospitality:

• One-third of restaurants have dealt with dine and dash theft.
• Nearly 30% report that these incidents are becoming more frequent
• Some businesses have been left hundreds of pounds out of pocket

Key Areas Security Professionals Should Focus On

1. CCTV Implementation: Many restaurants are installing or upgrading their CCTV systems. High-quality footage can be crucial for identifying and prosecuting offenders.
2. Staff Training: Teach staff to recognise warning signs and how to deal with suspected dine and dash attempts.
3. Upfront Payment Systems: Consider implementing partial upfront payments or securing credit card details before serving food.
4. Collaboration with Law Enforcement: Establish strong relationships with local police to ensure quick responses to incidents.
5. Customer Behaviour Profiling: Create strategies to spot potential risks without discriminating against customers.
6. Smart Restaurant Layout: Advise on layout designs that make it harder for customers to leave without passing staff.
7. Use of Technology: Consider apps or systems that help track unpaid bills or identify repeat offenders.
8. Legal Rights: Understand the legal steps restaurants can take to recover losses.

The Impact of Dine And Dash Incidents on Businesses

For small restaurants, dine and dash incidents can be financially crippling. One restaurant owner reported losing over £500 from just two incidents. This isn’t just about the money—staff can feel demoralised, and it may create a culture of distrust, which harms customer relations.

Is Dine and Dash Worse than Shoplifting?

According to Sacha Lord, Manchester’s Night-Time Economy Adviser, dine and dash can actually be worse than shoplifting. The personal service involved and the typically higher value of losses make this crime particularly painful for hospitality businesses

Conclusion

As security professionals, you’re on the front line in helping to prevent dine and dash incidents. By focusing on better security measures, improving staff training, and collaborating closely with law enforcement, we can help reduce the impact of this growing trend on the hospitality industry.

At Get Licensed, we offer comprehensive security training programmes designed to equip you with the skills needed to tackle these challenges. From SIA licence training to specialised courses, we ensure you’re fully prepared to protect businesses and maintain a safe environment.

Let’s stay vigilant, stay informed, and work together to keep restaurants safe and profitable!

Watch the full ITV News report here