Luggage theft on trains in Cornwall (merged topics)

[whole diary]

[chrisoates]

Beware the luggage thieves operating operating (at least) between Truro & Penzance.

[Branch Line Connor]

Thats whay I don't put anything in those luggage racks at the end of the carriage, its so easy for anybody to take them at a stop.

[johoare]

I was on an HST^▸ (High Speed Train) today where they asked people to keep their belongings with them at all time, whilst also providing luggage storage at the end of each carriage..

[Mookiemoo]

I was on an HST^▸ (High Speed Train) today where they asked people to keep their belongings with them at all time, whilst also providing luggage storage at the end of each carriage..

Yeah - I get that announcement all the time.


Journey of anywhere from 2 to 3.5 hours, solo female traveller, usually multiple bags - requires trips to buffet/ladies room.

I am so tempted as a joke to pack everything up and go to the buffet fully laden just to prove the point!

[Zoe]

Last time I was on an HST^▸ (High Speed Train) in Cornwall the train manager announced that we should keep any luggage (other than large items in the racks) with us at all times and that anything left unattended would be removed.  From that I understand that you are not longer allowed to leave bags on your seat when you go to the toilet/buffet car.  Annoying as without leaving anything there another person could take you seat but I understand the reasons for it.

[johoare]

I guess if you ask someone to keep an eye on your bags while you're away from your seat then that is ok? As long as someone knows who the bags belong to then they're unlikely to be removed?

[grahame]

I guess if you ask someone to keep an eye on your bags while you're away from your seat then that is ok? As long as someone knows who the bags belong to then they're unlikely to be removed?

That's certainly how it used to be.  These days, though, people worry about unattended baggage and whether there's a slight chance it might blow up ... I don't think there's an easy answer

[johoare]

It is all a bit silly though that you can't leave your smallish bags on your seat whilst you go and get a coffee (for example), yet if someone wanted to leave a really big bomb in a suitcase at the end of the carriage, then that appears to be just fine..

[Mookiemoo]

Have people forgotten the 1980s?

We are never going to stop all the terrorist attacks - and that is assuming the government doesnt want some of the happen for political gain.

The minute we end up as paranoid as we are - they win.

And yes - I was in warrington on that day so I speak from experience.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Hmm.  The Warrington bombings occurred in 1993 - and those bombs which killed two children there were placed in cast-iron litter bins in a shopping precinct.

I'm not sure quite what connection there is to items of luggage on trains, in that context?

[Mookiemoo]

Hmm.  The Warrington bombings occurred in 1993 - and those bombs which killed two children there were placed in cast-iron litter bins in a shopping precinct.

I'm not sure quite what connection there is to items of luggage on trains, in that context?

The fact I think the whole population is over reacting to the alledged terror threat to the point where people are overly suspicious and being paranoid.

More chance of being run over by a bus.

You become suspicious of your fellow man and paranoid - the terrorists have won anyway even without killing anyone.  They have destroyed your normal way of life.

Chances of someone putting a bomb on an FGW^▸ (First Great Western) train - almost non existant unless a london tube style attack - but you cant prevent it without the above.

The reference to the warrington issue was to say I'm not just saying this - I WAS in an area attacked by terrorists - about 100yrds away from the bomb.  And being an irish scouser it was a wake up because it was always thought they would never attack their own and warrington was too close for comfort.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Chances of someone putting a bomb on an FGW^▸ (First Great Western) train - almost non existant

The 2004 Madrid train bombings suggest otherwise ... thirteen bombs, placed on four commuter trains. 

[JayMac]

Whilst terrorism may be an ever present, albeit small risk, you are statistically more likely to have your luggage nicked.

The balance of security versus freedom is a difficult conundrum and there are no simple answers. However the PA^▸ (Public Address) announcements to "keep your belongings with you at all times" do make it difficult to go to the buffet or toilet!

[moonrakerz]

I suppose a length of chain and a padlock would be interpreted as chaining a bomb to the luggage rack   

[Chris from Nailsea]

BTP^▸ (British Transport Police) do have some success in catching thieves: from a press release -

A man has been arrested and charged in connection with a series of thefts at Paddington station.

The charges relate to luggage thefts from trains that took place from 6 December to 23 December in the build up to Christmas.

Adam Newton, 21, of no fixed abode, was arrested at Paddington last night at around 9.15pm.

He was later charged with 13 counts of theft and is due to appear for a first hearing at City of Westminster Magistrates Courts today (Tuesday, 23 February).

The charges follow on from an appeal for information about the incidents, which ran in newspapers in January.