"Flip-Flop Bandit: Dine-and-Dash Thief Flees City Centre Chinese Restaurant with Waiters Hot on His Heels!"

THIS is the moment a man in flip flops flees a family run Chinese restaurant without paying his bill, as waiters chase him down the street.

Noodle Alley in released CCTV footage of the brazen diner after he ditched his table on Tuesday.

The man got up from his table and ran out of the door before staff could stop him Credit: MEN Media Noodle Alley on Faulkner Street shared footage of the incident online Credit: MEN Media

Clad in black shorts, a black button up shirt and flip flops the customer can be seen standing up from his table and making his way to the door.

He confidently waves at a waitress before making his way out of the restaurant.

Noticing that he hasn’t paid, a member of staff drops a tray of dishes in her hands and gives chase.

The man notices he is being followed and bolts up a flight of stairs towards the street.

He fled down the street before staff could catch him Credit: MEN Media The man was chased as he ran out of the restaurant Credit: MEN Media

Video from outside the shop shows him charging off down the street, desperate to shake off his pursuers.

Seconds later the waitress emerges from the restaurant but gives up the chase as the man makes his way across the road.

The restaurant, on Faulkner Street, shared the footage with the caption: “Today, someone ran away from our restaurant without paying.

“This isn’t just about the .

“Small independent businesses are already struggling with rising costs, and dealing with people who deliberately run away without paying makes it even harder.

“Every meal, every member of staff, and every genuine customer matters.

“Our team reacted immediately and tried to catch him, but he disappeared within seconds.

“We have a very clear CCTV image of the individual, and all the evidence has been passed to the relevant authorities.

“To everyone who chooses to support small independent businesses like ours, thank you.

“Your kindness and support help keep businesses like ours going.”

A member of staff told the Manchester Evening News : “I went to get some chicken legs for the restaurant and when I came back the staff told me one guy got up and ran out.

“So I went to look at the CCTV. He stayed a very short time. He came in, only had noodles and he sat in a booth, actually looking around the bar, waiting for a moment that he could run.

“He saw a family go up to pay and he probably thought it was the best moment.

“A member of staff got up after him to clean the table and then realised he hadn’t paid, so they chased him, but as soon as he got up the stairs he was running so fast, he was already off down the road.”

They added: “I know it’s not a lot of money, but it is hurtful. The effort we put in hoping for everybody to enjoy their meal and then we are being let down.

“This is not the first time it’s happened to us. We opened about three years ago and we’ve had other guests leave without paying.

“We are not like a fast food restaurant, we work very hard and it’s very competitive. I sacrifice my evenings to be at home with my daughter just to make sure we can do our business.

“It makes me sad, because Manchester is such a special place and most people here are very nice.

“I’ve lived in Manchester 26 years now. I came when I was doing university so I decided this was the perfect city. You don’t want things like this to ruin that, or the reputation of Manchester.

“We could chase them, but it’s not worth the risk. You don’t know what’s going to happen next time, it could be dangerous. [Staff] did make the effort but he was really fast.”

Noodle Alley reported the incident to the Greater who have since confirmed they are investigating reports of a theft.