Police have launched a manhunt for dine-and-dashers after four young women fled a restaurant without paying.

The thieves ran off after racking up a bill at a steakhouse in Norwich, on October 5 at 6.10pm.

Police have since released images of the group and have asked anyone who recognises the thieves to contact them.

A spokesperson for Norfolk police said: 'Police are releasing CCTV images of four women they would like to speak to in connection with a theft.

'The incident happened on 5 October at 6.10pm on Surrey Street, Norwich when a group of women entered a restaurant and failed to pay for their meal before leaving. 

'Anyone who recognises those featured in the images or has any information that could help the investigation is asked to contact Norfolk Police via any of the following channels quoting reference: 36/72063/25.'

The dine and dash comes weeks after a couple visited three restaurants across four days and racked up £500 in bills without paying.

Lauren Halliday and her boyfriend indulged in expensive meals at a number of upmarket restaurants across Newcastle that included Victors, Hula and Lui's.

But the pair strategically crafted a number of explanations for their inability to pay that included failing to return after having a cigarette, alongside problems with their online banking apps.

At one point, the 33-year-old did a runner despite promising to return to the restaurant to settle up her tab.

And in July, a family of 10 were accused of 'barging their way out' of a popular pub after 'refusing to pay' the £320 food bill.

Kelly Jollife, 49, landlady of the Greyhound Inn in Usk, Wales, said each member of the large group ordered a starter and main course, consumed them fully, but then refused to pay for anything other than their drinks.

Ms Jollife added the family then 'barged past' the pub's chefs and departed in two cars.

In a social media post, she explained: 'Warning to all other restaurants and pubs Shocking thing happened today with us here at the Greyhound.

'After doing 150 fabulous roast dinners today unfortunately one table of 10 decided they were not going to pay their £328.90 bill after eating everything.

'It then got extremely confrontational between them and my team.'