Police issue CCTV images after theft of passenger's handbag at Frome on 2/5/2010

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the BTP^▸ (British Transport Police) press release:

BRITISH TRANSPORT POLICE ISSUE CCTV IMAGES FOLLOWING THEFT OF PASSENGER'S HANDBAG - SOMERSET/WILTSHIRE

British Transport Police (BTP) officers are appealing for the public^s help to identify a man they would like to speak to in connection with the theft of a passenger^s handbag from on board a train.

Officers have today released CCTV images of the man they believe can help with their enquiries into the incident which took place shortly after 9.30am on Sunday 2 May.

A 37-year-old passenger boarded the 0940hrs Frome-Bristol Temple Meads service at Frome station and placed a number of bags on a seat before going into the vestibule of the carriage to talk to another passenger.

When she returned to her seat around five minutes later, she discovered that her handbag containing a mobile telephone worth ^100 and some personal items was missing.

PC Jason Teear (corr) of BTP said: ^After viewing CCTV footage from on board the train we have identified a man who we would like to trace as we believe he may have information which could assist us.

^I would urge anyone who knows the identity of the man in the CCTV pictures, or who knows his whereabouts, to contact British Transport Police in confidence.

^As you can see from one of the photographs, he has a distinctive hairstyle at the back of his head and I believe that someone will recognise him. He got off the train at Westbury rail station so it may be that he lives in that area.^

[JayMac]

A thought has occured to me. It's all well and good BTP^▸ (British Transport Police) putting these details on their website, but would it not be better, and perhaps more likely to identify the miscreants, if posters displaying these pictures were put up at stations along the routes where incidents are alledged to have happened?

[Chris from Nailsea]

Agreed, bignosemac - and I think it would be helpful if more local newspapers picked up these stories and published the details - and pictures - as well! 

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

i think there should be a group on facebook offering rewards, not saying that i personally would want a reward for passing on info but it would get peoples attention

[Brucey]

A thought has occured to me. It's all well and good BTP^▸ (British Transport Police) putting these details on their website, but would it not be better, and perhaps more likely to identify the miscreants, if posters displaying these pictures were put up at stations along the routes where incidents are alledged to have happened?

Also posters on the train would help as people might actually spot the offender whilst they are travelling (or at least discourage him from doing it again after seeing himself on a poster)!