BRITISH Transport Police has issued a rogues’ gallery of photographs as it launches an operation to crack down on thefts from trains and stations in the North East.

Operation Impact has been launched in the region because of the number of thefts on the rail network of items including suitcases, bags, mobile phones and laptops.

Transport Police officers are taking advantage of the large number of CCTV cameras in stations and on trains to release a number of photographs of people stealing property.

They hope the operation will deter thieves and also lead to the arrest of people responsible for offences on Tyneside, County Durham and Teesside.

Operation Impact will also see dedicated teams of officers travelling on key routes throughout the region, undertaking increased patrols to target hotspot locations while police surgeries will be held on trains and at stations to raise awareness of the issue and provide crime reduction advice to passengers.

Chief Inspector Glen Alderson said: “Officers investigating each of these cases have followed a number of lines of enquiry and circulated the images on police intelligence systems, and in some cases to the media, but so far without success.

“We’re now asking for help from members of the public. If you know any of these people and can tell us who they are, we want to hear from you.

“Our intelligence shows that thieves travel to commit crimes. So please look at these photos carefully, although the theft may not have taken place at your local station or on your local service, you may know the person who has committed it.”

He added: “We know that a majority of items are stolen after they have been left unattended, so I would urge passengers to stay alert and keep their luggage close by and in view at all times if possible, and check on it regularly.

“We will continue to work closely with Network Rail and train operating companies to tackle theft. Please report any suspicious behaviour to a member of staff or police.”

Anyone with any information about the incidents should call Freefone 0800 40 50 40, quoting background log B2/NEA of 08/03/2013 and the reference number on the image, or text the force’s non-emergency line on 61016.

NS02
A passenger travelling on a train from Dundee on March 27 last year, placed their suitcase in a luggage rack. When they arrived in York they discovered it had been stolen. The suitcase was later discovered at Middlesbrough railway station and its contents, a laptop, video recorder and other items, were missing.

NS03
On April 30 last year, a bag was stolen from the luggage rack in the first class carriage of a train travelling between Newcastle and Manchester Piccadilly. Police believe the suspect sat in the carriage talking on her mobile phone before taking the victim’s bag. It is not known where she alighted.  

 

NS11
A bag was stolen from a train travelling from Newcastle to London Kings Cross on November 30 last year. The bag was placed in the luggage rack at Newcastle and was discovered missing in London. CCTV revealed the bag was stolen at York.

 NS13A & NS13B
A suitcase was stolen from a train travelling between Edinburgh and Newcastle on January 11. Three people boarded the train at Edinburgh with the victim. One of the members of the group stole the bag before they all alighted at Newcastle.

 NS14A & NS14B
A suitcase was stolen from a train travelling between Kings Cross and Darlington on February 13.

 NS16
A suitcase was stolen from the luggage rack on board a train travelling between Sheffield and Durham on February 22. The suitcase was later discovered at the station with items missing from inside.

 NS05
On May 29 last year, a bag was left on a seat outside the Centurion bar in Newcastle while the victim went inside. When they returned it had been stolen.

 NS08A & NS08B
On August 7 last year, a mobile phone was stolen after accidentally being left on a seat at Sunderland train station. A short while later the victim returned to check if it had been handed in at lost property to no avail. Police believe the two females pictured may have been travelling to Seaham.

 NS09
A bag accidentally left in the overhead storage racks on a train travelling between York and Newcastle was stolen on September 5 last year. After everyone had left the train at Newcastle a man boarded the train and stole the bag.

 NS10
A bag was stolen from a train travelling between Edinburgh and Grantham on October 21. A man was seen acting suspiciously hanging around in between carriages and went to the toilet when rail staff approached him. He is then believed to have taken a passenger’s suitcase out of the luggage rack before leaving the train in Newcastle.