#Shameless #moment #thief #steals #couple039s #luggage #roadside #load #bags #taxi
- The thief stole the bag from outside London Kings Cross station on Wednesday
- The unnoticed stranger takes his chances whilst the couple are distracted
- British Transport Police have urged travellers to be on alert
This is the shocking moment a brazen thief stole a couple’s bag as they loaded their luggage into a taxi outside a London railway station.
The incident, which took place at 9:30pm on Wednesday, December 13 at London Kings Cross station, was caught on camera by someone sitting in a car just behind.
In the video, posted to X, formerly Twitter, the couple walk up to a taxi and open one of the back doors to begin piling their luggage in.
A radio can be heard playing in the background whilst the woman first climbs into the back seat, as her partner steps forward to lend a hand, leaving the rest of their bags unattended for mere seconds.
In this moment, a previously unnoticed stranger approaches the cab and takes a glance at the distracted couple.
![The couple arrive at a taxi rank outside London Kings Cross railway station](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/15/14/79002039-12868203-The_couple_arrive_at_a_taxi_rank_outside_London_Kings_Cross_rail-a-29_1702651119349.jpg)
The couple arrive at a taxi rank outside London Kings Cross railway station
![The couple then begin to bundle their luggage into the taxi after opening the back door](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/15/15/79002045-12868203-The_couple_then_begin_to_bundle_their_luggage_into_the_taxi_afte-a-1_1702655120136.jpg)
The couple then begin to bundle their luggage into the taxi after opening the back door
![With the couple's back turned, the thief suddenly comes up behind and steals the suitcase](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/15/15/79002041-12868203-With_the_couple_s_back_turned_the_thief_suddenly_comes_up_behind-a-2_1702655120138.jpg)
With the couple’s back turned, the thief suddenly comes up behind and steals the suitcase
Realising his window of opportunity, the stranger – wearing a black coat – grabs a holdall that sits atop of a suitcase and turns to run.
The taxi driver behind the dashcam, having noticed the theft, honks his horn before flinging his door open to grab the couple’s attention, shouting: ‘Hey! He’s just nicked- he’s just stolen your bag.’
After the couple realise what has happened, the man begins to run off after the thief in an attempt to reclaim his stolen property.
The woman climbs back out of the cab to look after the rest of the bags that are now on the pavement unattended. It remains unclear whether the man managed to catch the thief.
The video was shared to the social platform by user Londonkabbie with the caption: ‘Be aware of scumbags when loading up, the slightest opportunity and they will take it. Thankfully this is quite rare but it does happen.’
The clip gained hundreds of likes and tens of comments from shocked social media users who were left in disbelief at the brazen thief.
One said: ‘Wow. Never seen that happen before. Have never thought about being wary of people’s luggage as they’ve loaded up. Will now.’
Another blamed the taxi driver for not doing more to help, saying: ‘100% on the cabbie here. Hopefully he put his hand in his pocket and paid to replace the stolen item.’
A third said: ‘Two of the busiest stations in London plus Eurostar, never a police patrol at the ranks or drop off. Go to an airport and the guns are out everywhere.’
Another claimed: ‘If only as a society we dished out immediate social justice to these scum they’d feel less inclined to try it on.
‘A few days in hospital and some missing teeth would make him think twice next time.’
It comes just weeks after a suitcase was stolen from the boot of a taxi by another brazen thief outside King’s Cross station.
The incident, captured on video, shows the perpetrator sneaking around the back of the car and opening the boot before dashing off with the case.
![A previous theft occurred outside London Kings Cross station only several weeks ago](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/15/15/79002135-12868203-A_previous_theft_occurred_outside_London_Kings_Cross_station_onl-a-3_1702655120140.jpg)
A previous theft occurred outside London Kings Cross station only several weeks ago
The British Transport Police have issued a warning to people urging them to be alert around busy transport hubs.
A spokesman said: ‘Thieves are drawn to busy environments where people will be temporarily distracted, which unfortunately makes train stations and tourist hotspots a likely target for thieves
‘Luggage thieves use a variety of tactics, so it’s important to remain vigilant and alert when travelling and to keep an eye on your belongings – ensuring valuables are safe, secure and out of sight if possible.
‘If you are the victim of a crime, or see something that doesn’t look right, you should tell a member of rail staff or a police officer what you have seen. You can also text us on 61016.’