A woman identified as influencer and personal trainer Colleen Bankston had her suitcase stolen outside London St Pancras station on Sunday morning, according to footage shared on social media. The incident occurred as Bankston was loading luggage into the boot of a taxi and momentarily turned away. CCTV footage appears to show a man, wearing headphones and a baseball cap, discreetly taking the suitcase and walking away with it, concealing it against his chest.
The video, posted by Bankston, has drawn attention online, with viewers commenting on the brazen nature of the theft. One observer noted the suspect's apparent skill, suggesting he may have prior experience with such thefts. Another commenter mentioned a similar incident occurring at the same station two weeks prior.
The suspect in the most recent incident was described as wearing a white polo shirt, blue suit trousers, a black rucksack, and glasses.
British Transport Police confirmed they are aware of the video and have launched an investigation. They are appealing for information, asking anyone with details to contact them by texting 61016, quoting reference 447 of September 1.
This incident follows a previous case at the same station in August where an Algerian migrant was jailed for stealing a suitcase containing jewelry worth up to £175,000. That theft involved a distraction tactic, where the victim was told her trousers were dirty. The perpetrator, Bilal Arbaoui, who had previous convictions for similar bag thefts since arriving in the UK in 2024, was sentenced to 22 months imprisonment.
In another incident at St Pancras in June, a classical musician had his oboe stolen. Peter Facer was approached by individuals who asked for directions, using the interaction as a diversion to steal his instrument. The Metropolitan Police at the time stated the theft did not involve violence, which limited their response.