UK holidaymakers are being urged to avoid brightly coloured suitcases when flying this summer, as they may attract unwanted attention from thieves. The warning comes from Shahzad Ali, a security expert and CEO of Get Licensed, who shared his top tips for keeping luggage safe.
Choose a Common-Looking Suitcase
Ali advised passengers flying with major carriers such as Jet2, Ryanair, easyJet, and TUI to opt for a black suitcase instead. He said: "Although a new and colourful suitcase may look more fashionable, it won't only be attractive to you. It's best to choose a more common-looking suitcase, and if possible, a worn-out one - as to not stand out from the crowd - and with it, a high-quality padlock."
He added: "This can make a big difference in keeping your items safe. You can add an identifier, such as a ribbon or sticker, to avoid getting your luggage mistaken for someone else's whilst still remaining subtle."
Pack Strategically
Ali also offered practical advice on packing. He recommended organising items into three categories: extremely valuable (documents, credit cards, mobile phones, and larger sums of cash), valuable (jewellery and other expensive items), and less valuable (clothes and self-care products).
He explained: "The extremely valuable items that don't need to be used often at the airport should be placed in a money belt that will stay close to your body at all times until you reach your destination. The ones that need to be used at the airport should be placed in a small handbag or fanny pack that will stay in front of you at all times. When they're not needed any longer, these items should be placed in the money belt."
For larger valuables like laptops or tablets, Ali suggested placing them in carry-on luggage. He also advised hiding valuables such as jewellery among less valuable items in checked luggage.
