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Related: Moment 'dine and dashers' run out of Indian restaurant without paying for £200 feast

Suspected dine and dash incidents at UK restaurants and pubs are becoming increasingly elaborate, with offenders employing sophisticated tactics to avoid payment.

An analysis of 2,137 reported cases across 22 police forces in England and Wales revealed that only 3 per cent resulted in charges over the past two years.

Tactics include customers placing foreign objects like hair or cigarette papers in food, feigning card issues, or using distractions such as nappy changes to flee without paying.

Restaurant owners are being forced to implement measures like pre-payment for meals to protect their businesses, which are already struggling with rising costs.

The incidents are not only causing financial losses but also impacting staff morale, with trade body UKHospitality…