A GROUP of four men managed to pull off a “carefully planned theft” when they did a runner from a Welsh pub – but were clearly filmed on CCTV.
Bosses at The Goldcroft Inn in Caerleon, Newport, said a group of diners who ate in the pub on Tuesday, December 15 made off without paying their £93.60 tab.
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Pub manager Rachel Cullinane said it was “all very well co-ordinated”.
She said: “They arrived separately in two cars and ate – three courses, extra sides and everything.
“When they were finished, one of them walked out. Obviously we were busy and didn’t think anything of it.
“He sat in his van and then after a little while another one of them walked out, and as soon as he did that, the first guy reverses and drives off.
“Eventually the two others walk out of the restaurant through the one-way system we have in place, and you hear them saying ‘oh we’ll pay now, he’s just gone to the toilet.’
“And the minute they get out the door, they start running down the road.”
Rachel said they were devastated when they realised what had happened at a time when hospitality businesses are already struggling due to the coronavirus restrictions.
“We just couldn’t believe it,” she said. “We’ve got our hands tied behind our back constantly already, trying to do everything we can every time the rules change.
“We are the safest industry – you look at the likes of Primark on Saturday and you think people could be in here where it’s so much easier to social distance, and safer.”
However, staff at the pub realised the group had made a “schoolboy error” in parking right under the nose of the pub’s CCTV cameras.
“We have the information we need, we saw everything,” she assured, adding that police were aware of the issue.
A spokesman for Gwent Police said: “At 4.10pm yesterday we received a call reporting that four men had attended the Goldcroft Inn in Caerleon, eaten a meal and left without paying.
“Officers are making enquiries. Anyone with information relating to this is asked to call 101 quoting 2000453912.”
Last month, new rules banning hospitality businesses from serving alcohol or staying open beyond 6pm were introduced.
On December 16, First Minister Mark Drakeford announced alterations to Wales’ Christmas rules.
In a press conference, Mr Drakeford said the Welsh Government was now advising that only two households should meet over the Christmas period, rather than the three previously outlined.
