Police are on the hunt for a Gatwick Airport luggage thief who has been stealing suitcases from the South Terminal, leaving a family without their house keys, electronics, and bank cards
The hunt is on for a Gatwick Airport luggage thief who was seen stealing suitcases in police CCTV footage.
Police launched an urgent search for the unnamed man, spotted on cameras around the airport lifting laptops, house keys, Sony headphones, electronics and a wallet in his brazen crime spree. The victims were preparing to travel on a long-haul flight when the bag was stolen at check-in area A of the South Terminal on December 12, between 11.35am and 11.50am.
Sussex Police believed the thief boarded a bus to Crawley and attempted to use the stolen bank cards in the Langley Green area. A statement from the force confirmed it was alerted to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport where a family had a series of items stolen.
A full list of goods missing included Apple electronic gadgets and laptops, house keys, a wallet containing bank cards, Sony headphones, and scuba diving equipment including snorkels and a wetsuit.
Officers carried out enquiries after releasing CCTV images of a man they wished to speak to in connection with the thefts made at the airport. The man was described as in his 30s with a beard, wearing a dark blue jacket, blue jeans, black trainers, and a dark or brown coloured baseball cap.
Inspector Mark Robinson said: “We are investigating a report of theft of luggage from the terminal area at London Gatwick while the victim was distracted.
“This was distressing for the victim, who was with his young family at the time and seeking to embark on a holiday ahead of a busy festive period. We are issuing CCTV images of a man we wish to speak with in connection with our enquiries, anyone who can identify him is asked to come forward.”
Information can be reported to Sussex Police online by quoting serial 1097 of 12/12.
It came as Sussex Police was also left dealing with a man who has blocked off a public footpath with a metal fence and closed footpath sign during a war among residents. The Mirror previously reported the bitter feud where issues have been running on for over a year.
A wall that collapsed during a storm saw a 10ft wire fence put up to allow the owners of the property to clear the path and carry out repairs. No progress was made as of October last year.
Residents have complained as the rubble hasn’t been cleared from the wall and the alleyway next to it remains closed, and have complained to the council asking for repairs to be carried out so the public right of way can be reopened.
However, locals say they are being intimidated by the neighbour who lives on the other side of the footpath and doesn’t want the path to be reopened.
