[Holidaylover]

During a return flight from Italy on 13 July 2011 my purse and its contents were stolen. What has really upset me is that I was asked to give up my bag for it to be stowed in an overhead locker by a flight attendant who pointed out I was sitting in an escape isle and my bag could not be placed under the seat in front. She took the bag and stowed it as the seat belt lights were on and I was buckled in. When the seatbelt light went out and I retrieved my bag the purse had gone. I asked for the police to be called when the plane landed. On landing the pilot refused to call the airport police or check any passengers and no sweep was done. I had to find a customer service desk and ask them to call the police at Gatwick. I was given a crime reference. The police say they can do nothing. BA said it is not liable for any possessions on the flight and say they deny the flight attendant took the bag, although I have witnesses. I wrote to the Civil Aviation Authority who said they cannot investigate and it is for the police to do so. My insurers have refused to pay out because the flight attendant took the bag from me. I am really careful with my possessions and never let my bag out of my sight but I believed I could not refuse to allow the flight attendant to take the bag during the flight. I've never had anything like this happen before and would like to warn other travellers of what happened to me. When I travel next my credit card and a small amount of money will be in my pocket and nothing in my bag. I've flown many times but this was my first flight with British Airways and my last !