Owners of a family-run Indian restaurant say they’ve been left “frustrated and disheartened” after allegedly falling victim to a large “dine and dash”.

Tariq Ahmed, managing director of Jumeira in The Parade off Staplehurst High Street, said the group-of-eight arrived last Sunday evening (March 23) and appeared to be enjoying their meals.

“They were smiling, chatting, and saying everything was good,” said Mr Ahmed, who runs the restaurant with his brother.

But the family, which consisted of four adults and four children said to be running amok around the restaurant, later refused to settle the full £287 bill.

To add insult to injury the large group, who had ordered extra helpings, shouted and hurled insults at staff before throwing down £30 and leaving.

The restaurant boss told KentOnline staff had checked in several times during the evening and received no complaints.

Toward the end of their visit, the group even asked for extra dishes to take away, Mr Ahmed added.

These were packed up and delivered to their table, he says, while they were still finishing their meals.

A 17-year-old member of staff then handed them the full bill, only for the group to suddenly claim the food hadn’t been good and the service was poor.

The shocked young waiter called over another member of staff as he was unsure what to do.

Meanwhile, nearby diners, who overheard the row, reportedly stepped in, telling them: “Hold on — you ordered extra food. How bad could it have been?”

Mr Ahment added: "We put a lot of care into what we do, so for a group to enjoy their meal, order more, and then walk out without paying, it’s frustrating and disheartening.”

According to Mr Ahmed and his brother, one woman in the group became increasingly aggressive, shouting at staff and throwing insults.

They also described how the family’s children were running around the restaurant, screaming and darting between tables, disturbing other customers.

With tensions rising, a manager stepped in and tried to calm the situation by lowering the bill in an effort to find a solution but the family refused every concession.

Eventually, one of the diners threw £30 onto the table and the group walked out but the restaurant’s management didn’t follow.

“The team was exhausted, and we didn’t want to escalate it further in front of our other customers,” explained. Mr Ahmed.

The incident was reported to police, who later said officers reviewed the case and deemed it a civil matter between the restaurant and the customer.

The restaurant has now released the CCTV images in the hope the family will settle what they owe.

Jumeira were previously shortlisted as one of 15 best Indian Restaurants in the UK in one of the most prestigious Asian food awards, the Curry Life Awards.

They have seen diners venturing to their restaurant from all over Kent, including Ashford, Tunbridge Wells and even as far as London.

They also have branches in Cranrbook and Wadhurst.