BRITISH TRANSPORT POLICE has revealed some of the tactics often used by petty thieves, in a bid to protect the Christmas shopping being carried by rail passengers.

The advice follows the launch of Operation Magnum earlier this year – BTP’s campaign to help rail passengers their keep valuables safe from pickpockets, 'gadget-grabbers' and luggage thieves.

As part of the initiative, officers have issued video clips on the festive Op Magnum website (http://www.btp.police.uk/theft) to help the travelling public spot the 13 most common tricks thieves use.

These include The Earlybird – A thief boards the train at the start of the journey, picks out a bag containing gifts and leaves the train (with the bag) before it has departed. The Concealed Hand – A thief who takes advantage at busier stations and crowded trains, which make it easier to dip into the victim’s bag unnoticed. The Plucker – A sleeping passenger can quickly become a victim of theft. The Wait Lifter – A thief looks for a victim in a café or shop, stealing shopping bags while the victim is distracted.

In the run-up to Christmas, officers will be handing out luggage tags and leaflets with crime prevention advice as well as activity sheets for younger travellers.

Officers will also be encouraging passengers to register their mobile phones and electrical devices to immobilise.com, a website that helps police reunite lost or stolen items to the owner.

Chief Superintendent Paul Brogden, who is leading the operation, said: “While crime on the rail network is down for the ninth successive year, theft of passenger property can be a challenge for us at this time of year.

“Christmas is a time when people are out buying expensive goods and the last thing anyone wants is to get home and find that their valuables have been stolen.

“We hope that by revealing the methods used by thieves, passengers can better protect their belongings and enjoy the festive period.

“We’ll be using a range of tactics to disrupt and deter potential thieves every day, including intelligence-led patrols by uniformed officers and plain-clothes theft squad detectives. There are lots of things passengers can do to help protect themselves from becoming a victim of theft when travelling on the railway.

“Always remember to keep your gifts and luggage close by and check on them regularly, keep your valuables hidden if you’re going to sleep and always zip up any hand or shoulder bags.

“Installing a tracker application on your smartphone and tablet can also help us trace your device if it’s stolen. Keep a note of your device’s IMEI number and register it to immoblise.com to help police return it to you if it’s lost or stolen.”

As part of the anti-theft campaign, BTP will be tweeting every theft on the railways reported to officers in the previous 24 hours using the hashtag #EveryXmasTheft. The tweetathon, which takes place this Friday, 6 December, will be broadcast on the @btp_uk account ‘as live’ at the exact time the theft was reported 24 hours earlier.

To report a theft to British Transport Police call 0800 40 50 40 or text 61016 with details of what happened.