Stolen Handbag in London (Russell Square/Bloomsbury)

reese

Hi, my elderly mother had her handbag stolen in London yesterday. Hopefully all the necessary actions relating to bank accounts, mobile phone etc have been taken.
The matter was reported to the police but I appreciate they have other much more important matters to deal with.
I was wondering who else I can contact or whether there is a local Facebook group. The incident took place in the Bloomsbury/Russell Square area.
Thanks in anticipation.
(Apologies in advance if this has been posted in the wrong place.)

hollydays

It might help others if you describe the method they used.
There is an organisation called victim support she could speak to for some support

reese

Thanks for the reply.
She was in London for the weekend and was having breakfast in the hotel restaurant. The bag was on the floor beside her one minute and the next it was gone!
The hotel have checked their CCTV and don't think it was taken by a resident and that someone had just walked in off the street.

Alan_Bowen

If the hotel was one of the mega hotels, President, Imperial or Royal National, for example, I fear they would do everything to deny liability but frankly there are so many hundreds of visitors moving in and out every day, it would be impossible to say whether they were residents or not. Regrettably this crime is probably committed multiple times a day in London and apart from looking in bins behind the street( not recommended) I fear there is no chance whatsoever of seeing it again.

A warning to everyone to never lose sight of your belongings particularly in bars and restaurants where people can brush past and are experts at this. So sorry this happened to your Mum, make sure she doesn't take this to heart and stop travelling, most people are as honest as the day is long but large hotels are magnets for the disreputable.

hollydays

There are criminals who specialise in sitting around in cafes all day looking for opportunities to do this.
I doubt there's any more you can do.
I seem to remember when I was in Harrods last, they had these handbag hooks on the table so you could see your bag.
Only other thing to,ask your mum is if anyone engaged her in conversation or distracted her, though this isn't the usual method these type of thieves use

reese

Thanks for your replies.
A call was made from her mobile (which was in the bag) to the last number she'd called, this was just before the mobile was blocked. Unfortunately the call wasn't answered but I was hoping that this call was to say that the someone had found the items and wanted to return them. If that was the case where would someone in that area go to hand in a 'found' item and is there a Facebook group or anything similar for lost and found items?
Thanks

wealdroam

reese wrote: »

Thanks for your replies.
A call was made from her mobile (which was in the bag) to the last number she'd called, this was just before the mobile was blocked. Unfortunately the call wasn't answered but I was hoping that this call was to say that the someone had found the items and wanted to return them. If that was the case where would someone in that area go to hand in a 'found' item and is there a Facebook group or anything similar for lost and found items?
Thanks

If you think it might help, stick 'london lost property' into google and start phoning around.

lovinituk

reese wrote: »

Thanks for your replies.
A call was made from her mobile (which was in the bag) to the last number she'd called, this was just before the mobile was blocked. Unfortunately the call wasn't answered but I was hoping that this call was to say that the someone had found the items and wanted to return them. If that was the case where would someone in that area go to hand in a 'found' item and is there a Facebook group or anything similar for lost and found items?
Thanks

That call would have been the bag thief pretending to be the police or pretending to be someone from her bank trying to get hold of your mum. Happened to my wife when her purse was stolen. They say they have caught the person trying to use your card and just need your PIN number to release the card from the machine. Luckily my wife realised what was going on and didn't give out her PIN.

reese

lovinituk wrote: »

That call would have been the bag thief pretending to be the police or pretending to be someone from her bank trying to get hold of your mum. Happened to my wife when her purse was stolen. They say they have caught the person trying to use your card and just need your PIN number to release the card from the machine. Luckily my wife realised what was going on and didn't give out her PIN.

Didn't think of that scenario! They had used her contactless bank card almost straight away and withdrawn the maximum £30.

There's some really bad people out there but thankfully they are in the minority!

reese

I know the items are probably long gone but I just thought I'd try and see if they'd been handed in anywhere. She had items of sentimental value in her purse (photos of my late father etc.), which is why I'm making the extra effort to try and find them.
My mum is in her mid 70s and has been going to London every year for a long time but this incident has put her off going there ever again.
The emotions she's felt have been numerous but at least she's safe and well.
Thank you

hollydays

There is also website where you can register the iMei of lost phones