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Bagman of Paddington has stolen £9,000 of luggage from trains
Justin Davenport, Crime Editor3 Feb 2010
This is the CCTV image of a man wanted for a string of luggage thefts from passengers on trains waiting to leave Paddington station.
The suspect is believed to have got away with more than £9,000 worth of goods. Cameras have caught him boarding trains empty-handed and then getting off with suitcases or bags.
He has struck nine times, stealing bags containing laptops, iPods, cameras, designer clothing, jewellery and other expensive items.
Detective Constable David Graney, of British Transport Police, said: “Many of the victims have said the stolen luggage contained presents for their families and friends. We urge anyone who recognises the man or witnessed the thefts to come forward.
“All the thefts took place as we were approaching Christmas and suddenly stopped before Christmas Day.”
Detectives are investigating the possibility the luggage thief has switched his activities to another station. The suspect is described as white, aged 20 to 25, slim and with short brown hair which has receded at the temples. He usually wears a black and grey hooded top and a dark jacket. He struck at Paddington between 8pm and midnight from 6 December to 23 December.
London's main rail stations have been plagued with luggage thefts for years. Casual thieves take the opportunity to walk onto trains shortly before they are due to depart and target people with expensive luggage or laptops.
In recent years there has been a number of thefts from passengers in first-class carriages. A transport police spokesman said: “People relax once they are on the train and leave luggage where they can't see it.”
Anyone with information should call transport police on 0800 405040 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
Reader views (1)
they'd grab you quick enough if you lit up a fag but they can't catch this grinch with all the cameras in the world.
- Squiz, Islington, 03/02/2010 22:13
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