Police issue update on probe into 'dine and dash incidents' across south Essex

Two people have been arrested as part of a police investigation into a number of reports of "dine and dash" incidents across south Essex.

So far this year, both the Pearl Dragon restaurant, in Eastern Esplanade, and the Castle Inn pub, in Little Wakering, reported they had fallen victim to people ordering multiple courses before attempting to flee without settling the bill.

Taxi drivers came out this week to claim they were also affected.

As part of their probe, officers attended an address in Great Wakering, near Southend, yesterday afternoon and arrested a man and a woman.

Both were taken into custody and questioned on suspicion of three counts of making off without payment.

Read more:

• Businesses and taxi drivers hit by south Essex 'dine and dash couple' demand action

• Furious customers step in to stop 'dine and dash couple' at south Essex pub

They were subsequently released on conditional bail until late July.

As part of their bail conditions, they are not permitted to attend any licenced premises in which food is served where that food cannot be purchased before consumption.

Sergeant Carly Boitoult, of Essex Police's Southend town centre team, said: “The hospitality sector in Southend and in the surrounding area is incredibly important to the city’s overall offer to its residents and visitors and we will always do all we can to help them if they report a crime to us.”