Picture: British Transport Police
Police are looking for a man who took a £40,000 bassoon after its owner left it on a train.
Stuart Russell forget he’d stacked the professional instrument into a train carriage rack when he got off.
He instantly remembered the bassoon was still on board – but the train was leaving the station.
British Transport Police have released a picture of another passenger seen leaving the carriage at the next stop.
They have urged him to come forward.
Mr Russell was travelling on the train between Lewes and Brighton on October 19th.
The wanted passenger that spotted the musician’s mistake got off at Southwick, West Sussex.
Mr Russell and bassoon
Mr Russell posted to Instagram:
“The bassoon is an unusual instrument.
“It is a custom-made professional gentleman model bassoon made by Ben Bell (Canada) in 2013.
“[It has] serial number 116 and is stamped ‘made In Canada’ on the joints.
“It was in a gentleman’s model black Bonna backpack case containing Vonk leg rest attachment, 2 crooks and two reed cases and other bassoon accessories.
“This is a precious and personal instrument to me. Any knowledge of its whereabouts please contact me.”
Missing £40,000 bassoon
A spokesman for British Transport Police said:
“Officers investigating the theft of a bassoon, worth up to £40,000, on a service from Lewes to Brighton are releasing CCTV images in connection.
“On Tuesday, October 19, a man boarded the 2.04 pm service from Lewes to Brighton and placed his bassoon in the overhead luggage hold.
“As he alighted the train, he left the instrument behind, and the train had departed when he returned to the platform.
“Further enquiries show that the instrument was stolen by another passenger who then boarded a service towards Hastings and alighted at Southwick station.
“Officers believe the man in the CCTV images may have information which could help their investigation.’
Anyone who recognises the man or has information about the incident can contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or calling 0800 405040 – quoting reference 2100079515.
Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
