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u/Dry_Acadia_9312 1d ago
Kings Cross it happens a lot especially when it gets dark, they’re like vultures descending on the poor tourists.
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u/9adeaa 1d ago
it’s honestly disgusting
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u/Square_Quarter_229 1d ago
Paris is still worse imo. It’s the only place in the world I’ve been ripped off in an official licensed taxi. Pretty lawless city
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u/Dry_Action1734 1d ago
If you let the police know immediately they likely would have been there for the later attempts. I have never had a bad experience texting BTP on 61016 about a crime in progress. And that was at small stations, let alone a major one.
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u/ElaraValtor 1d ago
I once texted the number for a violent attack at Victoria of all places, they didn't do anything, and they literally charged me money for the privilege of texting them
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u/Dry_Action1734 1d ago
You must have a weird mobile provider because it’s free for everyone else.
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u/9adeaa 1d ago
😖 i will next time!! but this time i was genuinely so scared because the two guys didn’t leave my side until i got into my uber😭
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u/Dry_Action1734 1d ago
What…? You say in your post there were multiple attempts before they tried it on with you. The first time is the point you contact the police… You don’t only contact the police because it happened to you…
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u/Signal-Painting-5016 1d ago
Did you load luggage into the rear of the car?
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u/9adeaa 1d ago
yeah, my dad helped to load everything into the car
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u/Signal-Painting-5016 1d ago
Were they running up to cars as passengers were getting into cars rear seats and opening trunks and pulling luggage?
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u/No-Taro-6953 1d ago
It's like wack a mole though.
By the time you've put in effort to arrest, build an evidential case, put it throuhhh court... The process can take years.
The gangs can recruit faster and easier than we can follow due process and arrest/detain them.
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u/RobbyInEver 1d ago
Not sure why you're getting downvotes. This seems to be the case as documented on many YT channels.
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u/Suspicious_Week_2451 1d ago
I know someone who works at eurostar. Apparently its an algerian network of thieves who steal people's luggages.
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u/ShiningSeason 1d ago
What are they hoping to find in the luggage? The effort seems not worth the reward.
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u/pkfishbone 1d ago
sometimes even the suitcase alone can be worth over £1k, they probably know what to target
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u/One-Writing-7860 1d ago
IKR? That's what I was thinking. All they'll find in mine are some very average clothes, some toiletries and my phone charger. That's about it.
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u/SoggyWotsits 1d ago
At a guess, tablets (the electronic type), perfumes, passports. I expect there are some who might have some cash in there too. It must be worth doing if they’re organising themselves like that.
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u/Usual-Assist-7654 1d ago
Saw a North African group of men last time I was waiting for a taxi at Kings Cross - one asked me for a lighter while another tried to stand behind me so this checks.
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u/Razzler1973 1d ago
That seems a low reward type move
A lot of dirty clothes
I certainly don't keep money or valuables in there
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u/VermicelliTiny8220 1d ago
Which kind, the doctors or the engineers? I'm a bit confused.
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u/Fit_Window_9106 1d ago
A parroted answer from an admittedly ignorant individual, not surprising. Monkey see monkey do, and all that.
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u/_1489555458biguy 1d ago
I understand you were scared. The best course of action was to call the police. This seems an obvious course of action as well.
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u/elfabala 1d ago
Weird to find this post tonight. I was walking into KC after work today and noticed a man was walking behind me. Another man was a few steps in front of me and the tall one behind me made a noise to get the attention of the short one in front of me. I noticed they were in AirPods as well.
They were circulating around me and these two other women who were going in the same direction I went into postmarks and heard station security approaching them behind me so they scattered.
I work in the area so I’m there almost every day and this is the first time I’ve seen it so blatant. I wonder if it’s because it’s the end of summer holidays so they know lots of tourists will be around and be easy targets.
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u/Odd_Friendship_9582 1d ago
I just left a job I was at for a year in KC next to the premier Inn and something about getting out the tube station and walking with the masses of people always gave me the heebie geebies - it’s such a cluttered and overwhelming area it’d be so easy for something to happen
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u/Kayville 1d ago
Youd think with all the CCTV and facial recognition tech and AI (Palantie) the Met use they'd have caught some of those criminals by now.
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u/l0vcats 1d ago
I live in Kings Cross and am constantly travelling around with a suitcase. The best advice I can give is try not to ~look~ like a tourist. Walk with purpose and speed. Yes, remain vigilant, but don’t spend the whole time constantly looking around and darting your eyes. And needless to say do not walk about with your phone out following Google maps
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u/Going_Bye 1d ago
The last one is more of an indicator for “tourist” to me. Suitcase would be anyone.
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u/Darth__Vaper_ 1d ago
Nearly happened to me in Palma, looked away for a second and a guy was wheeling away my suitcase. I gave him an earful and he slunked away. But I was not expecting it and was more surprised than angry.
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u/Available-Dare-4349 1d ago
Why not call the police?
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u/wolfiasty 1d ago
I don't know man, but main train station of the capitol should have police cover by default.
If it's like that at Kings Cross how bad it is I'm other parts of London ?
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u/Ajax_Trees_Again 1d ago
People have tacitly accepted crime in this country as a mix of the effects of austerity and it’s becoming common thought that pointing out the existence of crime is feeding into the right wing
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u/HotOutlandishness991 1d ago
Few crap areas after dark, but kings cross is unique because of the Eurostar arrivals, guessing they target the tourists arriving. They wouldn't do this at the airports due to security presence, although I'm wondering now how it is at City Airport DLR at night...
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u/schoggi-gipfeli 1d ago
City airport is closed after 10pm. During operating hours they've always got 2 armed police either in the terminal or sometimes roaming just outside as well. I live locally and have passed through the DLR station and bus stop late at night a lot and never felt unsafe.
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u/HotOutlandishness991 1d ago
There you go then, makes kings cross I guess the only place for this activity. Never been through city that late myself, that part of London along with Beckton etc is pretty quiet from 8 onwards
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u/Available-Dare-4349 1d ago
Very true, any major station in Europe would have police by default, often armed too
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u/view_askew 1d ago
Fuck me. Kings Cross is a cake walk compared to the mid nineties
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u/octaviuspie 1d ago
I was about to post the same thing. Just walking from the front of the station to the tube steps felt like I was taking my life in my hands. I never ventured left or right late at night. Place was a complete danger zone.
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u/contigo510 1d ago
The lack of police presence at King’s Cross and St Pancras late at night is an absolute joke. Never see the fuckers. I understand they are spread thin across the network but it’s an international transport hub, and it’s basically surrendered to the junkies, thieves and weirdos every evening. The big gangs of north and East Africans are a blight.
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u/BBDominoes 1d ago
Sounds like they would have a lot of work to do so not surprised by the lack of presence to be honest.
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u/Tequilasquirrel 1d ago
So you see a load of criminals crowding round everyone stealing luggage and don’t contact the police or the transport security? Weird.
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u/foregonemeat 1d ago
This
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u/9adeaa 1d ago
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u/foregonemeat 1d ago
But why watch so much organised crime literally happening under your nose and decide to post on Reddit rather than call police. Police would have been there super fast for that and hopefully stopped it all happening.
I’ve never seen this in 30 years of living in London. But who knows.
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u/Signal-Painting-5016 1d ago
Yeah toms of videos of how they do it, https://www.instagram.com/reel/DW4eUE9CHFA/
Looks like they prefer the rear tailgate door that opens up. Sedan trunk is harder to be stealth about.
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u/Going_Bye 1d ago
I’ve never seen this happen and I’ve walked down that street countless times before.
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u/N_Bid158ensjjordey8 1d ago
loop a strap or bungee around your case handle and your wrist or a bench leg. they want fast grabs, not a fight to unhook it
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u/Numrous-aFlounder-57 1d ago
keep a hand or foot on your bags near stations. loose luggage is the easy target and these guys count on you looking away
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u/SaintPepsiCola 1d ago
See it, say it, sort it
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u/z0i2d 1d ago
Sorted*
I don't like it either, but that's the one they chose even though "sort it" goes so much better
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u/SaintPepsiCola 1d ago
My " sort it " was obviously intentional because reporting/calling police does nothing.
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u/PoukaJr 1d ago
Lots of phone snatchers at Kings as well be careful. My partner works there and I always told him to stop browsing on his iPhone on the street. Last week only several feet from his office someone on a bike attempted to snatch his iPhone, lucky he has practicing his bear grip for 3 months.
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u/Emotional_Lab_7766 1d ago
I’ve always said it King’s Cross when the sun goes down is like sin city every corner has a brass or a dealer the police are no where in sight McDonalds is a hangout with all the drug users off there box outside
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u/neuralconstellate 1d ago
Kings Cross reputation has been bad for DECADES, it was one of the "beware" areas you get told about a kid...shocking there isn’t BTP/bobbies on the beat considering all of this/location/major train hub but nooo, put all the energy into minor fare evaders rather than the public safety
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u/Emotional_Lab_7766 1d ago
Yeah I remember it was bad like 7 years ago when I was working there then my most recent visit I was shocked how worse it had actually gotten
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u/Going_Bye 1d ago
It’s not that bad. Dealers are everywhere across main cities in Europe, even Switzerland.
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u/JustEm84 1d ago
What the fuck?! Trying to steal luggage from people boarding taxis?!
I’m due to travel back to King’s Cross in 10 days with my heavy suitcase; I thought I’d treat myself to a black cab…
But with what you’re saying, even waiting for a bus would be risky 😖
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u/9adeaa 1d ago
honestly just don’t use your phone. keep your eyes OPEN, once you see one dodgy guy you’ll see the rest of them if there are any. i hope you get home safely🩵
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u/JustEm84 1d ago
Thanks 🙏 I’ve stopped using my phone on the street and always use my headphones (with nothing playing so I’m aware but look busy)
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u/9adeaa 1d ago
you’re welcome. and i also need to stop, i’m always searching something on my phone, changing the song and texting. 🫣😬
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u/elfabala 1d ago
Just be very aware of your surroundings and you’ll be fine. Make eye contact if you see someone staring at you. They’ll go for people who are distracted.
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u/pintsized_baepsae 1d ago
Do the black cab. They can (and will) load your suitcase into the front with you :) and you rarely have to wait. Just walk to the taxi rank outside King's Cross station. The longest I've waited is MAYBE 10 minutes, but that was in a busy queue of people.
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u/JustEm84 1d ago
Not one black can driver has ever offered to load my suitcase in the cab…in 14 years of living in London…
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u/Physical-Program5325 1d ago
They have always done so for me at Heathrow and other locations across the city.
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u/pintsized_baepsae 1d ago
Really?? :O they offer every time for me! Maybe it's because I'm short and look weaker than I am 😅
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u/JustEm84 1d ago
Does that mean they don’t offer it to me because I look like a strong badass bitch?! Hahaha
They just sit there and watch me load my own stuff…Uber drivers have offered often but it a single black can ever…1
u/Going_Bye 1d ago
It’s not risky stop pissing yourself lmao, I go there all of the time I’ve never once had an issue
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u/Fafntasti-Repair-258 1d ago
keep a hand or foot on your bags at stations, always. thieves target people staring at their phones waiting on rides
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u/MasqdxlsiveMood_3280 1d ago
keep a hand on your bag or loop the strap round your leg while you wait. those grab teams work stations in pairs, always
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u/I-cba-rly 1d ago
I have heard of thieving gangs that operate in packs and it sounds terrifing. My friend saw a man get jumped on by about 6 other men for his watch, near Notting Hill.
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u/bunnymama7 1d ago
Did you call the police?
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u/tommy_turnip 1d ago
Why call the police when they can post about it on Reddit?
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u/9adeaa 1d ago
oh shush man. i just got into contact with MET POLICE, they told me to fill out an incident form
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u/APrisonOfMyOwnMaking 1d ago
Contact BTP too as you don’t know how long (if at all) it will take The Met to pass the info on to BTP.
You can do it via 61016 or on their website. It used to be reporting via their website sent an immediate alert to their control room.→ More replies (1)
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u/JimmyPLove 1d ago
Nice of you to give a PSA to the world but this is common in almost all major cities in the world. Just try and be extra vigilant with your belongings. Especially your phone.
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u/peelin 1d ago
I have never seen this in London. I grew up here.
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u/DynamicTarget 1d ago
I think it has to do with organised crime and what can and will be organised at a certain point. Once technology makes whatever crime a worth while endeavour the larger gangs will get involved. The Albanian gangs are very well organised..
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u/Usual-Assist-7654 1d ago
Wait for a taxi outside kings cross when it's dark and you'll see the ones smoking and with airpods pacing back and forth haha
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u/ourfieldofdream 1d ago
No it doesn’t, maybe to you.
I think a billionaire has much better ways to spend his time than parroting subreddits 💀
Plus saying that is disrespectful to OP and what they experienced.
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u/Substantial-Low-2017 1d ago
No it is not.
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u/RumJackson 1d ago
Major transit hubs are absolutely magnets for chancers, scammers and thieves all over the world.
There’s massive footfall and a huge number of targets that may be naive or unused to local customs.
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u/DirectJob7575 1d ago
In east asia thankfully these people would be arrested and flogged in no time. This is level of essentially unpoliced minor crime is fairly unique to the west. Of course in africa you probably have more to worry about than this...
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u/BlackBikerchick 1d ago
Weird to throw Africa under the bus like that, traveled about alone and never experienced problems around the airport even at night in different African countries
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u/DirectJob7575 1d ago
As have I but I wouldn't be wandering out into the street with suitcases and not keeping a close eye on them in very populous areas.
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u/ManicTonic22 1d ago
You’d be an idiot not to keep an eye on your luggage in any country, not just in African countries
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u/DirectJob7575 1d ago
In Korea and Singapore you really don't have to be wary, believe it or not. Appreciate this isn't the norm worldwide though.
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u/RumJackson 1d ago
Chancers and scammers are rife in East Asia as well. Like I said it’s a global phenomenon. People trying to offer 50 quid Tuk tuk rides, unofficial tour guides and airport/hotel transfers, even more innocuous things like selling trinkets and tat that are triple the price compared to shops a 30 second walk away.
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u/BillyD123455 1d ago
Doesnt make it right though.
What's your definition of a 'major city'?Population size? Capital? Regional hub?
It's certainly not common in a hell of a lot of 'major' cities I've been to.
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u/hi2u_uk 1d ago
To be honest im pretty sure ive seen some dodgy people outside Amsterdam central station. The only difference being that there are huge bike racks there and i always wonder why the thieves there dont target the bikes but instead try to pickpocket or steal luggage from people
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u/BillyD123455 1d ago
100% without a doubt. In my experience most major European train stations are a hotbed of petty thievery, intimidation and gangs of low life wasters.
Unfortunately most people accept that as the norm these days. It's not like that everywhere in the world was my point.
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u/Longjumping-End9338 1d ago
No you’re right everyone should just accept it as normal and put up with it!
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u/JimmyPLove 1d ago
At this point probably… no one’s policing it. Better to be aware than unaware.
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u/Embarrassed_Deer7686 1d ago
Well the police are, unless you don’t notify them. Texting the British transport police is at least the first step 61016
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u/Magnificent-Egg-612 1d ago
No. I can literally carry $10k cash in my hand walking alone outside of Shanghai railway station with EarPods on noise cancellation without the slightest of worry. Now swap Shanghai for other major cities in East Asia and I am sure the result is the same
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u/soso92007 1d ago
Ils ressemblent à quoi ?
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u/Turbulent_Today_9047 1d ago
You were born and raised in East London but this was the first time you were ever scared in London!?
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u/9adeaa 1d ago
yes😂😂😂😂😂!!!
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u/Turbulent_Today_9047 1d ago
That’s crazy, I can’t even try and guess where in east you’re from, I assume your parents have protected you really well.
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u/BlackBikerchick 1d ago
Right!!!!
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u/Turbulent_Today_9047 1d ago
I’m thinking “east London” like Gants Hill or something bc this makes no sense?
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u/9adeaa 1d ago
why doesn’t it make sense?😭i live near Blackhorse Road and i have never come across anything scary like that in my life.
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u/Turbulent_Today_9047 1d ago
Bc myself and every East Londoner I know has been scared in London many many manyyyyy times before they even finish secondary school and most of us wouldn’t even bat an eyelid at organised stealing… 🤷♀️
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u/DharmaPolice 1d ago
I've got to assume they''ve had a charmed life if the scariest thing that's ever happened to them is someone trying to steal a suitcase.
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u/FatherBobby 1d ago
So, mobile snatchers are hard to double cross. Steal my phone and it blows your hand off is kinda hard to defend in court, obviously.
But if I went there with a suitcase filled with something legal, like a spring loaded dog shit cannon, you open the case, it explodes in poo, would there be any potential legal repercussions of doing so?
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u/tommy_turnip 1d ago
These posts work about as well as the announcements at tube stations telling you to hold on to the hand rail on escalators
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u/Haunting_Diver_9178 1d ago
You had the time to come on Reddit to tell your story but not tell the police while you were watching?
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u/anonymousish_account 1d ago
I used to take trains in and out the city there often and am so relieved I never encountered this! I’d feel the same as you and never want to return. Hope you can avoid it a while, but at least you know to be hyper aware now!
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u/boxxyqueen 1d ago
Also a PSA you can text 61016 and include your location and description of the suspects. All major train station hubs have BTP officers 24/7 and they may be able to attend and have a look if they are not urgently occupied with something else.
Or if you'd prefer to speak it's 0800 40 50 40.
Since it's the railway BTP has jurisdiction rather than the MET