Baggage Handler Jailed For Bag Looting

A Heathrow baggage handler has been jailed for stealing from passenger luggage.

Alan Bardall, 52, of The Gardens, Feltham, Middlesex, appeared at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday, where he was sentenced to six months in prison having pleaded guilty to six counts of theft and four counts of attempted theft.

The offences took place in June 2011, during which time Bardall was responsible for scanning luggage tags, to ensure that baggage belonging to passengers in transit were being sent on to their correct destinations.

As a result of a covert operation by officers at the Heathrow Crime Squad, it was identified that Bardall would select and open baggage, then steal valuables from inside and then put them into his own bag, and then take them home.

Detectives arrested Bardall at his home address on Monday 13 June, and searched his address. A Sony camcorder and a laptop were recovered.

Bardall was charged with the offences on Wednesday 19 October.

Further enquiries established that Bardall had been responsible for stealing valuables (two laptops, a camcorder and aftershave) with the approximate value of £2,000.

In a bid to reunite the seized electronic stolen items with their rightful owners, officers examined the material held on them. It was established that the laptop - containing a whole year's coursework - belonged to an American student working in Ireland. Officers were able to pinpoint the owner of the camcorder by looking at photographs held on its memory card. The hotel that the victim had been staying at was identified, and officers were then able to determine a name via the hotel and the airline manifest.

Police Constable Chris Ladmore said: "Any theft is distressing, but experiencing loss following a holiday is particularly awful. We are delighted to have reunited Renate with her camcorder and more importantly her precious photo and video memories of London. We hope that Renate is able to put the experience behind her and enjoy many more great stays in London."

(DW)