The Chase star Shaun Wallace reported his luggage was stolen last month at St Pancras International station after arriving from Paris. Wallace had placed three pieces of luggage into a taxi when a man approached him, distracting him with a feigned dropped item. While Wallace checked the rear of the vehicle, another individual stole his bag from inside the cab.
Wallace, known as 'The Dark Destroyer' on the ITV quiz show, described the stolen items as including his "favorite blue suede shoes, like Elvis, my Gucci perfume and I also had my two car keys in there." He told a New Zealand radio show that he believes the thieves did not recognize him and that crime in London is "out of control."
This incident follows a pattern of similar thefts targeting celebrities and high-profile individuals. In 2025, Brittney, wife of Formula 1 champion Jenson Button, had designer luggage containing over £250,000 worth of handbags and jewelry stolen. An Abu Dhabi royal also had £600,000 worth of jewelry taken near St Pancras.
The Metropolitan Police have acknowledged the rise in crime around King's Cross and St Pancras stations, identifying luggage theft, anti-social behavior, and retail crime as significant challenges. Chief Inspector Dave Hodges described luggage theft as an "organised" crime, with thieves actively seeking opportunities to target distracted travelers. He noted that these criminals are "very good at what they do."
In response to the increasing incidents, private chauffeurs are undergoing training to enhance passenger safety when picking up clients near the stations. Chauffeurs have reported that thieves often wait for passengers to enter their vehicles before opening the boot to snatch luggage or capitalize on moments when clients are briefly distracted, such as while tipping the driver.
An investigation by the Daily Mail also highlighted issues with "jurisdiction" confusion between the Metropolitan Police and British Transport Police, which has reportedly led to victims experiencing bureaucratic delays. The police have launched a major crackdown in the area to address the escalating crime rates.