Shaun Wallace, known as the Dark Destroyer on ITV's The Chase, has spoken out after being mugged at St Pancras International station in London. The 66-year-old had his luggage stolen upon arriving in the city from France, following filming an advert in Paris.
Describing the incident, which took place last month, Wallace recalled: "I had three pieces of luggage. I had put two of them in the back of the cab, and the taxi driver went round to the front, and I had my rucksack with me."
Distraction Tactic Used in Theft
Wallace explained how the thief used a distraction technique: "Some guy came up to me and said, 'Oi mate, you dropped a card at the back!'" He added: "I said, 'Alright,' and went outside, left my bag there, and by the time I came round, his mate had come in and nicked it."
Detailing the contents of the stolen bag, the ITV star said: "It had my favourite blue suede shoes, like Elvis, my Gucci perfume, and I also had my two car keys in there because I couldn't find my original car keys."
Celebrities Targeted in London
When asked if the thieves recognised him, Wallace commented on NZ Coast Breakfast FM: "No, they didn't recognise me; they don't care about that…crime in London is out of control."
His experience follows a series of robberies involving celebrities in London. Last month, Gone Fishing star Paul Whitehouse, 68, fought off a mugger who snatched his bank card while he was withdrawing money at a cash machine in Islington. Jenson Button's wife, Brittny, also had designer luggage containing over £250,000 worth of luxury handbags and jewellery stolen, including sentimental items from her wedding and the birth of her daughter.
Police Response and Increased Patrols
After sharing his account, radio host Jase Reeves joked that it sounded like an insurance claim, suggesting Wallace might have also had "all your diving equipment, your welding gear and golf clubs" stolen. The barrister quipped: "And a partridge in a pear tree. It's in there."
The British Transport Police (BTP) said luggage theft had decreased following a crackdown on criminal gangs targeting passengers. Supt Nicholas Sedgemore stated the action followed police identifying a series of "organised" thefts, adding that BTP was aware of groups of men, "normally six of them in a team", who used their own communication systems to target passengers.
A spokesperson for London St Pancras High Speed, which owns the station, said the theft of passenger luggage was "very concerning" and that security patrols had been increased around the station. They added: "The BTP has also increased their presence in the station, and together we are taking proactive steps to deter this activity and keep passengers safe."
