Hunt for 'dine and dash' family of 8 that brazenly told restaurant 'we can't pay'

A restaurant has released CCTV images of two families it accused of fleeing without paying their £190 bill after telling staffthey had "no way" of doing so.

Raman Kaur and Narinder Singh Athwa, owners of Sai Surbhi, an Indian restaurant in Greater Manchester, claimed the families enjoyed a feast of curries, sides and children's meals before leaving the premises on August 30. 

The pair say two men in the group "tried five different cards and called various people to transfer money" before telling staff they had "no way of paying". According to Raman and Narinder, who also own a second branch in Preston, the group promised to pay the restaurant back the next day but have so far failed to do so.

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The owners say the incident has had a "huge knock on effect for our restaurant" and are now urging the public to help make the customers aware their payment is still outstanding.

They also released CCTV footage of the group alleged to have dined and dashed. In a new post on social media, the restaurant owners said they were sharing the images to "warn other businesses".

The post said: "We have to do it as it's become clear and obvious they are not paying and this is to warn other businesses in the area and beyond... Here are the CCTV stills of the people responsible for the 'dine and dash' of just under £200 last week.

"Also we want to thank everyone for their support, everyone coming in to support us, kind phone calls and messages of local community spirit - Urmston and beyond you are amazing!"

Raman earlier told Manchester Evening News how the families had called the restaurant 15 minutes prior to warn of their arrival. In the call, they requested a table of four - two adults and two kids - but twice as many people turned up. "They said they wanted eight, and because it was beginning of service we said ok," she said.

Talking about the impact of the incident, Raman said: "We have to bear the brunt of it, the more you speak to people, the more they have a similar story.

"The majority of people come in with the intention of having their meal and paying, but it's not the first time that's happened to us, we've had one recently in Preston too, but you just don't want the trouble either."