'Disgraceful behaviour': Video of men fleeing UK Indian restaurant after Rs 23,000 feast without paying sparks outrage online

A group of men have been caught on camera fleeing an Indian restaurant in Northampton, England, after allegedly consuming nearly £200 worth of food without paying.

According to The Independent, the incident occurred on 4 August at the popular Saffron Restaurant. CCTV footage, later shared on the restaurant’s Facebook page, shows the men entering, ordering a variety of dishes including curries and lamb chops, before abruptly leaving their table and sprinting out of the premises. A waiter can be seen chasing after them as they exit through the door.

The restaurant later posted the bill online, showing a total of £197.30 (approximately Rs 23,000) for the meal.

Restaurant’s Warning to Local Businesses

In an online statement, the management condemned the incident and urged vigilance among fellow business owners.

“Last night at approximately 10:15pm, four young men entered our restaurant, enjoyed a full meal, and left without paying. This isn’t just theft, it affects hardworking small businesses and our local community,” the statement read.

They confirmed that the matter had been reported to police and all video evidence handed over. The post also appealed for information to identify the suspects, encouraging the public to “name and shame” those responsible.

Northamptonshire Police told The Independent they are investigating the incident as a theft and have urged anyone with information to contact them on 101.

Public Outrage Online

The footage has prompted anger on social media, with many criticising the group’s actions.

One user wrote: “If you can’t afford it, eat at home then! Why are people so lazy to cook these days?”

Another commented: “This is why you swipe a card before they’re seated. They don’t look like they can afford a McDonald’s, let alone a £200 bill.”

Other reactions ranged from disbelief to calls for justice: “That’s bloody disgusting, someone knows them,” said one.

“Hope they get caught, disgraceful behaviour,” added another.

The restaurant remains hopeful that with public assistance, the individuals will be identified and held accountable for what it describes as “a brazen theft that undermines the trust between customers and local businesses.”

Inputs from agencies