Man wanted in connection with Horsham suitcase theft

PC Pete Cooke, leading the investigation, said: “An 18-year-old woman from Littlehampton boarded the train at Victoria and placed her bag in the standing area near the doors of the train.

“A man, who boarded at Crawley with a dog and a pram, was seen removing the suitcase at Horsham and leaving the service at 4.30pm.

“After undertaking a wide range of enquiries to identify this man, including viewing CCTV and disseminating the images on police intelligence systems, we are releasing them to the public in the hope that someone will recognise him.”

The train involved was the 3.32pm London Victoria to Arundel service. The small stolen suitcase was black with white spots and contained a sleeping bag, clothes, toiletries and other items, and was worth an estimated total of £250.

Anyone with information should contact British Transport Police on Freefone 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016, quoting reference LSA/B4 of 24/12/13. Alternatively call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

This appeal follows BTP’s launch of a Christmas crackdown on theft of passenger property on the railway.

As part of the initiative, officers have issued video clips to help the travelling public spot the most common tricks thieves use.

Op Magnum sees BTP officers work with train operating companies and local police forces to disrupt and deter pickpockets who prey on unsuspecting commuters and tourists at busy stations, thieves who brazenly snatch expensive smartphones from distracted passengers’ hands and those who steal luggage and valuables on trains.

Videos featured on the Op Magnum website (www.btp.police.uk/theft) and the BTP YouTube channel show passengers the 13 most common tricks thieves use, while anti-theft surgeries will see passengers handed crime prevention leaflets with advice on how to protect themselves from thieves.