{
  "id": 6169318,
  "title": "Why are so many people stealing from restaurants?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/why-are-so-many-people-stealing-from-restaurants",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-07T10:00:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Guardian Business",
    "slug": "guardian-business",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/sep/07/why-are-so-many-people-stealing-from-restaurants"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Recent reports have revealed that an alarming number of British adults admit to stealing items from pubs or restaurants. The extent of this issue extends beyond mere pilfering, with Michelin-starred establishments in France reporting thefts of unusual items such as knives, candles, a toilet roll holder complete with screws and Rawlplugs. The Michelin-starred restaurants were quoted in a recent news report in France, questioning the absurdity of such thefts.\n\nA Québécois restaurateur recently shared his own experiences with theft, mentioning that a picnic table, a painting and even the thermostat had been stolen from his establishment in July. Similar incidents have been confirmed by British restaurateurs as well. Jan Ostle, owner of Wilsons in Bristol, shared that he frequently has to replace mother-of-pearl spoons he uses to serve herb sorbet, as they are a particular target for thieves. The restaurant owner revealed that he needs to purchase new spoons every few months, highlighting the ongoing issue of restaurant theft.",
  "summary": "About a quarter of British adults admit to having pilfered something from a pub or restaurant. Is it an Insta-fuelled craze, or just old-fashioned greed? Knives, candles, a toilet roll holder complete with screws and Rawlplugs – that’s just some of the stuff Michelin-starred restaurants in France complained about clients nicking in a recent news report . I’m not sure why the screws were presented…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}