A man has been arrested on suspicion of theft following an alleged 'dine and dash' incident at a restaurant in Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire, where two individuals reportedly refused to pay for a meal costing around £150. The incident, which occurred on 16 February, involved complaints about hair being found in the food, according to Staffordshire Police.
Officers were called to a venue on Station Road after reports that two people had ordered steaks and cocktails, then declined to settle the bill. The manager of The Dial restaurant, Jez Hives, later stated in February that CCTV footage appeared to show one of the customers deliberately placing his own hair on his food before making the complaint.
Mr Hives described the alleged incident, noting that two men ordered a £70 steak for two, which one person reportedly consumed entirely, alongside a £40 fillet steak, sides, and cocktails. After eating part of their meals, they allegedly approached staff to complain about hair in the food before leaving without paying. Mr Hives expressed his disbelief at the lengths someone would go to obtain free food, stating that upon reviewing CCTV, he observed a customer picking hair from his head and 'seasoning' his steak with it.
A 23-year-old man from Tamworth was arrested on Wednesday, 22 July 2026, in connection with the incident. He has since been released on conditional bail while investigations continue. Sergeant Lee Parden from Staffordshire Police emphasised the force's commitment to tackling theft from local businesses, highlighting the significant impact such crimes have on the community.
Incidents of 'dine and dash' can pose a considerable challenge for hospitality businesses, particularly smaller independent establishments, by directly impacting their revenue and profitability. The alleged deliberate nature of this incident, as suggested by the restaurant manager's account, adds a layer of complexity to typical refusal-to-pay scenarios, potentially leading to more serious charges of theft.