Holidaymakers are being warned that expensive or brightly-coloured suitcases could make them a target for thieves. Security expert Joseph Barton from AdleyBarton.com says that the exterior of your luggage can signal to criminals that it is worth stealing.
According to analysis by Money Supermarket, suitcase theft on UK trains rose by nearly 37% in 2024. Separate data from airlines and the baggage industry shows that almost one in 20 bags on flights worldwide either goes missing or is stolen.
Barton advises travellers to blend in and avoid designer brands, bright colours, hard shell finishes, and matching sets. He explains: “Thieves know the cost of items, and if you’re running with a £1,000 suitcase, then there’s a good chance that your clothes inside are designer and worth reselling.”
He also warns that new-looking luggage can make travellers appear inexperienced. To deter thieves, he recommends scuffing up new suitcases slightly, for example by rubbing dirt from the pavement onto the wheels or base.
