A FAMILY has been accused of 'dine and dash' after enjoying a £70 meal at a Chinese restaurant.

Staff at Singapore Restaurant claim they were threatened after they left without paying as their card was declined.

The family has not returned to the restaurant in Friar Street to pay the bill after leaving on Sunday (April 16).

Manager Davy Hung said staff chased after the family to pay for their meal. 

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A man, woman and two boys, aged about ten to twelve years old, entered the restaurant and ate a meal.

Shortly after finishing, the two children and woman left the building while the man tried paying for the food.

However, there were issues with the card he used with the card machine reading "PIN attempt exceed".

The man then tried to leave the restaurant without paying - but the staff were following behind.

Mr Hung alleges: "As we followed him to the street, we saw there was a car running with the door open - ready to drive off.

"A member of staff took a picture, and we were threatened by him that he would vandalise the property.

"His exact words were 'I will bring the boys and damage your property'."

Only later did Singapore Restaurant's staff realise other small items had been taken such as chocolates and cutlery.

Mr Hung added: "Someone will be out of pocket.

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"It will have some effect on the business as we are trying to make a living and won't survive in the long run if we are losing out, and this is through no fault of our own.

"It is because people take advantage."

Singapore Restaurant said they have contacted the police. 

Worcester News has contacted West Mercia police for a comment.

It is the second Chinese restaurant on Friar Street to have diners leave without paying.

Chung Ying Garden - a Cantonese and Vietnamese restaurant - had a 'young couple' walk out without paying for their meal in November 2022.

The restaurant appealed to the couple at the time, explaining: "As a small independent business, we cannot afford to lose money this way."