Thieves could use a pen to break into a zipped suitcase

British holidaymakers could be targeted by luggage thieves this summer, if they’re checking a bag for their flight.

Sarah Adekola, a TikTok user (@millenialwealthsarah), explained that thieves only need a pen to break into a zipped suitcase.

In a recent clip, the TikToker showed how easy it was to steal from unsuspecting holidaymakers.

She forced a pen into the zipper and pushed through until it created a gap between the two edges of the zip.

The bag is then easily unlocked by running the zip pull, even if tourists have used a padlock to secure it.

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However, according to Sarah, there are a few ways tourists can protect themselves from this trick.

She said: “First, never pick suitcases with zippers like this because people are literally stuffing your stuff with just a pen.

“Basically what people are doing is they’re taking a pen and they are literally just pushing in between there. And they’re getting into your suitcase.”

Sarah said tourists should go for luggage made from hard material rather than soft squishy bags.

She added that she always chooses a bag with wheels so it’s easier to move and chooses a bag with a concealed zip.

Sarah warned: “I would also go for suitcase brands that give me a lifetime warranty or at least five years.”

If tourists are worried about how their bag will be treated after they say goodbye to it at the airport, there’s a simple way to try to protect it.

Travellers can stick a ‘Fragile’ stamp on their bag to ensure luggage handlers treat it gently during the process.

Although Sarah said she usually chooses a dark coloured bag, some experts recommend choosing a distinctive piece of luggage so it’s easily spotted at the reclaim.