Classical musician is targeted in cruel 'distraction theft' outside London St Pancras station as crook pretended to ask for directions while accomplice stole 'sentimental' oboe

A classical musician was targeted in a cruel 'distraction theft' outside London St Pancras train station. Peter Facer, 38, had his oboe stolen by crooks when he was travelling back from his former woodwind teacher's retirement party in London on June 14. The oboist was leaning against railings outside the station entrance when the thieves struck. Mr Facer was carrying a coffee and two bags, one containing his rare oboe d'amore while the other contained his clothes and a pair of Apple AirPods. One of the crooks pretended to ask for directions to Euston station while his accomplice stole the 'sentimental' instrument. The young man walked away after Mr Facer repeated instructions to get to Euston as the thief claimed to have limited English. The classical musician was 'just trying to be helpful' – but when he looked down, his possessions, including his cherished woodwind instrument, had vanished. He said the incident felt 'like losing a limb', adding that it has been 'psychologically damaging'. Peter Facer, 38, described having his oboe stolen as feeling 'like losing a limb'. Here he is pictured playing his 'sentimental' instrument Mr Facer told The Times: 'They have no idea the sentimental attachment that musicians have to their instruments. It's like losing a limb. 'When they steal something like that it's psychologically damaging, which is far worse than the monetary or career inconvenience. 'And maybe they should realise that, dig deep down, find some compassion and just return the instrument for that reason.'But, to make matters worse, two British Transport Police (BTP) officers told Mr Facer that the theft is 'not our responsibility' after he rushed over for help as it took place outside the station, making it a matter for the Met Police. The 38-year-old said their response was 'quite infuriating' as he explained that the incident happened only minutes before he found them, meaning 'they're probably still in the station'. He was forced to search St Pancras for the instrument by himself and had to file an online report with the Met Police instead. However the oboe is still missing. The Met Police told the Daily Mail 'it appears to be a theft not involving violence which means we are unable to provide a comment in this instance'. The force added that 'we won't be able to comment on individual offences of theft not involving violence, shoplifting, antisocial behaviour, criminal damage (other than that related to hate crime), car crime, bike theft, burglary, trespass, other than those matters that have a wider impact on local communities and/or significantly impact trust and confidence in the Met'. 'Devious Algerian migrant' Bilal Arbaoui stole £175,000 worth of jewellery from a woman's suitcase outside St Pancras station He tailed Jumama Zaida out of St Pancras station after she arrived on the Eurostar from Paris in AprilBTP said: 'This theft occurred on Metropolitan Police jurisdiction, so details on the report and the ongoing investigation should be directed to them.'Last week a 'devious' Algerian migrant who stole a suitcase outside St Pancras train station containing jewellery worth up to £175,000 by telling the victim her trousers were dirty was jailed.Jumama Zaida had just come out of the station in April after she arrived on the Eurostar from Paris when an accomplice told her she had a stain on her clothing and offered her a tissue in a bid to distract her.As she wiped her trousers, Bilal Arbaoui, 32, then used the opportunity to steal Ms Zaida's gold Rimowa case, which can cost upwards of £1,000.She quickly noticed the luggage had been taken and saw Arbaoui running away with it, before notifying police.Assisted by an Arabic interpreter, Arbaoui appeared at Inner London Crown Court on Monday and was jailed for 22 months after he pleaded guilty to theft, despite initially denying it was him in CCTV images.Arbaoui, of Neasden, northwest London, has two previous convictions for similar bag thefts since he arrived in the UK in 2024.Samantha Archer, prosecuting, said: 'Ms Zaida had three wheeled suitcases, one black, one green and one small gold Rimowa suitcase.'She was followed out of the station onto the street by Arbaoui and two other individuals. All three followed the victim out of the station onto St Pancras Road where she was waiting for an Uber.'Describing CCTV footage of the crime, Ms Archer continued: 'She can then be seen walking down the road wheeling her luggage.' She went on to say one male came up to the victim and said she had dirty trousers.He held out a tissue to Ms Zaida which she took, causing her to let go of her gold suitcase.'Mr Arbaoui took the gold suitcase,' Ms Archer said. 'He made off with [it] in haste, and he appears concerned or sheepish.'A nearby bus driver, who speaks Arabic, overheard Arbaoui and two other suspects shouting, saying to one another 'come on quick, come on'.'The victim was assisted by members of the public and flagged down a police officer,' Ms Archer said. Made in Chelsea's Yasmine Zweegers has fallen foul to a terrifying new theft scam which sees crooks chucking paint over their victims before stealing their valuables Brittny Button, Jenson Button's wife, had over £250,000 worth of items stolen by a crook after alighting the EuroStar (pictured in 2016)Brittny's stolen bags which were later listed online. These listings were later deleted The Metropolitan Police issued this image of a watch stolen from a woman outside St Pancras on Sunday July 21 - a white gold and diamond Richard Mille RM 037 worth around £185,000St Pancras has seen a spate of thefts in recent years, earning it a reputation far beyond being the hub of high speed travel across the UK and Europe.From Richard Millie watches worth £185,000 being snatched from wrists, to Hermes bags and designer jewellery being swiped, and phones being taken 'clean' out of victims' hands, the strategies of thieves are wide-ranging. And while some thieves are more discrete, swiftly swooping in on travellers while their backs are turned, others are far more brazen, hitting victims with a wave of paint before swiping thousands worth of goods.Among the victims of these unassuming crooks are the F1's A-list, Made in Chelsea stars, senior politicians, big names in sport as well as unsuspecting tourists.It comes after the Daily Mail named and shamed Britain's most crime-ridden train stations in May last year, with St Pancras topping the charts (1,616) of our analysis.