Baggage Rustling on the West Highland Line

[Butts]

In an area more associated with sheep abduction I feel it my duty to report that on yesterdays 0857 from Oban to Glasgow there was an incidence of the above nature.

A trio of luggage heisters boarded at Arrochar and Tarbet alighting at Helensburgh. In the intervening period it transpired they had rifled through the bag of a gentleman removing items of value.It was in the luggage rack.

The crew made an announcement asking everyone to check they had not suffered a similar fate.

This is the first time I have come across this

 

[theageofthetra]

In an area more associated with sheep abduction I feel it my duty to report that on yesterdays 0857 from Oban to Glasgow there was an incidence of the above nature.

A trio of luggage heisters boarded at Arrochar and Tarbet alighting at Helensburgh. In the intervening period it transpired they had rifled through the bag of a gentleman removing items of value.It was in the luggage rack.

The crew made an announcement asking everyone to check they had not suffered a similar fate.

This is the first time I have come across this

Been happening in mainland Europe for many years, we now appear to have imported the practice. Keep all luggage within sight or use a luggage cable lock through zips.

 

[Phil from Mon]

It used to happen a lot on ATW services around Newport. Don't know if it still is.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

It used to happen a lot on ATW services around Newport. Don't know if it still is.

I/C services along the North Wales coast used to suffer from opportunistic thieves boarding at intermediate stops. Pick and select and get off at a convenient point.

 

[Cheshire Rover]

Virgin staff used to issue warning over the intercom on the west coast run from Euston to Liverpool a few years ago. Not sure if this is still the case.

 

[adrock1976]

Obviously it is best not to store anything valuable in luggage if possible, especially if luggage is going to be stored near vestibule ends.

Furthermore, although it may be the best of intentions, I would not recommend using padlocks, cable straps, etc to secure luggage, as it would automatically draw attention to professional crooks that there is stuff inside that is worth nicking.

When I frequently stewarded at festivals, it was surprising the number of the general public who enquired about if there was a stall on the festival site that sold padlocks so as they could secure their tent. I explained that is the easiest tents for professional crooks to target, as it is screaming out to them that there are items worth nicking that are inside the tent. I made the recommendation for them to use the onsite lockers, of which they were grateful for.

 

[theageofthetra]

Obviously it is best not to store anything valuable in luggage if possible, especially if luggage is going to be stored near vestibule ends.

Furthermore, although it may be the best of intentions, I would not recommend using padlocks, cable straps, etc to secure luggage, as it would automatically draw attention to professional crooks that there is stuff inside that is worth nicking.

When I frequently stewarded at festivals, it was surprising the number of the general public who enquired about if there was a stall on the festival site that sold padlocks so as they could secure their tent. I explained that is the easiest tents for professional crooks to target, as it is screaming out to them that there are items worth nicking that are inside the tent. I made the recommendation for them to use the onsite lockers, of which they were grateful for.

Good point re not attracting attention. I have seen some backbackers use a cable system with an alarm with the inevitable results when someone moves their bag to get to their own!

Other than keeping it in sight (which is not going to be possible with large cases) what other options do passengers have to not become a victim of this vermin?

 

[jopsuk]

Clever packing: stick to bags without external pockets and place smaller items further inside, larger items (eg towels) to the top to make it more obvious if someone is rummaging. All valuables and small items in hand luggage, keep that close.

 

[theageofthetra]

Clever packing: stick to bags without external pockets and place smaller items further inside, larger items (eg towels) to the top to make it more obvious if someone is rummaging. All valuables and small items in hand luggage, keep that close.

Another one is to put anything valuable which can't be kept on you in an empty box of tampons or other ladies sanitary product inside the case. The amount of male thieves who won't touch them!

 

[Butts]

Another one is to put anything valuable which can't be kept on you in an empty box of tampons or other ladies sanitary product inside the case. The amount of male thieves who won't touch them!

One of the culprits on the "Great WHL Robbery" was female

 

[northwichcat]

On North TPE whole suitcases have been stolen from the train. Putting wide double doors next to luggage racks may help dwell times but it also helps thieves.

 

[ashworth]

This is not a new thing. It happened to a friends of mine about 30 years ago when they were travelling from Glasgow to Nottingham. After travelling down the WCML, when they arrived at Crewe ready to change trains for Nottingham, they found that that their large case had been stolen.

Even though that happened to them 30 years ago it has always meant that I never leave my case somewhere where I can't see it when I travel by train. This is not made easy with many of the modern trains where even a small case will not fit on the luggage rack. I now mainly use a medium sized case which does fit in the luggage rack above where I'm sitting on an HST, Mk 4, and most DMU's I travel on like Class 150, 156, 158 and 185. Unfortunately it does not fit on the useless small luggage racks on Voyagers and Meridians. When I travel on those types of trains I'm afraid I would rather struggle and sit cramped up with my case under my feet or between my legs rather than using the end of carriage luggage racks and worrying about it for the whole journey. Usually, if possible I try to plan my journey using trains where my case will fit on the rack even if it does mean a longer journey time.

 

[83G/84D]

This used to be an issue on the overnight sleepers to / from Penzance, it may indeed still be an issue. Last time I travelled on the down sleepers from Paddington a BT police patrol was on board for part of the journey.
Announcements were made on the train mainly for the benefit of passengers in the day coach.

 

[krus_aragon]

I/C services along the North Wales coast used to suffer from opportunistic thieves boarding at intermediate stops. Pick and select and get off at a convenient point.

As I recall it was generally disembarking with someone's luggage in this area, as opposed to stealing items out of the luggage and leaving the case.

 

[R4_GRN]

I always use a bicycle cable lock on cases left in the rack between the case and the rack. padlocking the zips of the case ensures I can relax, fall asleep, go to the loo etc without worrying about the case, works a treat never had a problem

 

[pdeaves]

As I recall it was generally disembarking with someone's luggage in this area, as opposed to stealing items out of the luggage and leaving the case.

About 25 years ago I did this by mistake! Taking about 20 youngsters to a summer camp, we changed trains and found one bag left over on the platform once everyone had collected theirs. We told platform staff straight away, who phoned ahead so that the rightful owner could be reunited with their dirty laundry.

 

[philthetube]

With a cable lock I suppose it would be possible to lock your case to the train, as well as locking the case.

 

[father_jack]

With a cable lock I suppose it would be possible to lock your case to the train, as well as locking the case.

But wouldn't "over security" draw more attention to the fact that there might something worth stealing...........

 

[transportphoto]

But wouldn't "over security" draw more attention to the fact that there might something worth stealing...........

And would also, on a technicality, be illegal in itself:

No person shall write, draw, paint or fix anything on the railway.

 

[northwichcat]

And would also, on a technicality, be illegal in itself:

Doesn't that technically mean using the fittings provided on the train for securing bicycles are illegal?

 

[38Cto15E]

Is there CCTV on these units?

 

[me123]

With a cable lock I suppose it would be possible to lock your case to the train, as well as locking the case.

If the bag was considered unattended, and locked to the train, then you'd most likely have a full scale anti terrorist operation descend upon the train.

Is there CCTV on these units?

Yes, there should be.

 

[didcotdean]

In 1994 a thief took a bag from a train at Reading only to find later that it had a 7kg of Semtex in it, although the bomb was unprimed.

 

[Ianno87]

Doesn't that technically mean using the fittings provided on the train for securing bicycles are illegal?

Arguably no, as the fixing is provided by the railway company, and is releasable by anybody.

 

[D1009]

I always use a bicycle cable lock on cases left in the rack between the case and the rack. padlocking the zips of the case ensures I can relax, fall asleep, go to the loo etc without worrying about the case, works a treat never had a problem

Until you lose the key!

 

[Monty]

Not luggage, but I've experienced undesirables attempting to steal bicycles from my train on services between Southampton and Portsmouth. You sometimes have to pay real attention to who boards with a bike and make sure it's the the same person alighting with it!

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Another one is to put anything valuable which can't be kept on you in an empty box of tampons or other ladies sanitary product inside the case. The amount of male thieves who won't touch them!

One of the culprits on the "Great WHL Robbery" was female

Women won't steal another woman's "lady things" though- sisterhood is alive and well on that front!

Of course, you do need a female to supply you with empty boxes for that strategy!

 

[sjoh]

No person shall ... fix anything on the railway.

So that's Network Rail's excuse

 

[BestWestern]

Doesn't that technically mean using the fittings provided on the train for securing bicycles are illegal?

No, as they don't permit a passenger to physically lock their cycle to it. Is merely stored.

 

[Greenback]

It was mentioned earlier that this is not something that's new. I agree. The way to keep your most valuable possessions safe is to keep them with you, on your lap, at your feet or immediately above you, and then keep a close eye on them.

Even though my bigger bags are normally filled only with items of clothing, I still try and make sure that I keep an eye on them. Even though I'm not sentimentally attached to items of underwear I still don't want to lose anything if I can help it