Do you know this woman? Police appeal to identify suspected serial luggage thief

[whole diary]

[ChrisB]

From the BTP^▸ (British Transport Police) Website

British Transport Police (BTP) detectives have released CCTV^▸ (Closed Circuit Tele Vision) images of a woman they would like to identify following seven luggage thefts on trains leaving London Paddington in the last three months.

Investigators want to hear from anyone with information about the incidents, which took place on trains travelling from London Paddington to Bristol, Bath, Swansea and Plymouth between Wednesday, 8 June and Thursday, 21 July.

Detective Constable Dave Graney, of BTP^s dedicated theft team, said: ^We^ve looked into multiple reports of luggage being stolen on services leaving London Paddington and after reviewing CCTV we believe the same woman may be responsible for several of them.

So if you recognise the woman pictured, or have any information relating to any of the incidents, please get in touch.^

Officers have so far conducted local enquiries, followed up a number of leads, and reviewed CCTV in an attempt to identify the woman but to no avail so far.

DC^▸ (Direct Current) Graney added: ^BTP takes theft of passenger property very seriously, and we are working closely with the Metropolitan Police and Transport for
London to drive down theft on public transport in the capital.

^We understand it^s a huge inconvenience for victims, and will do everything we can to catch those responsible and bring them before the courts.^

^We take the theft of passenger property extremely seriously and one of our primary policing objectives is to reduce the number of people who become a victim.

^Always keep your belongings close by, check it regularly and be extra vigilant when the train stops at a station.

^If you move to another carriage, take your valuables with you ^ never leave them unattended and report any suspicious behaviour to staff or a police officer.^

Anyone with information should call British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference B5/LNA of 22/08/2011. Or call the independent charity, Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Notes to Editors:
Details of separate incidents as follows:
^Wednesday, 8 June 2011
Service: 20:15 First Great Western service from London Paddington to
Bristol Parkway
Victim: 56-year-old man from Abergavenny, Gwent
Stolen: Dark navy-blue sports bag.

^Saturday, 11 June 2011
Service: 13:20 First Great Western service from London Paddington to Bath Spa
(Coach E or F)
Victim: 68-year-old woman from Bath
Stolen: Tan coloured leather Louis Vuitton style hand-luggage case with wheels.


^Friday, 24 June 2011
Service: 20:00 First Great Western service from London Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads
Victim: 53-year-old man from Chippenham, Wiltshire.
Stolen: Large black suitcase with ^Swizz^ logo.

^Tuesday, 28 June 2011
Service: 20:35 First Great Western service from London Paddington to Plymouth
(Coach A)
Victim: 74-year-old woman from Taunton, Somerset
Stolen: Small cabin-sized suitcase with a black and white swirled pattern.

^Thursday, 14 July 2011
Service: 20:00 First Great Western service from London Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads
(Coach B)
Victim: 62-year-old woman from Radstock, Avon
Stolen: Black and red Antler cabin case with wheels and luggage label.

^Thursday, 21 July 2011
Service: 20:15 First Great Western service from London Paddington to Swansea
(Coach E)
Victim: 45-year-old man from County Wexford
Stolen: Brown medium-sized trolley case with orange tag on top.

^Thursday, 21 July 2011
Service: 20:15 First Great Western service from London Paddington to Swansea
(Coach E)
Victim: 26-year-old woman from Bristol
Stolen: Small black wheeled fabric suitcase with front pocket