Flautist appeals for help after £15,000 instrument stolen on London train

Katherine Bryan said losing flute 'like losing a limb' after it was taken from her bag between Farringdon and East Croydon stations
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Katherine Bryan's flute was stolen
Benjamin Ealovega
Matt Watts25 October 2023

A top musician who performs with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra has appealed for help after her “beloved” flute was stolen on a train.

Katherine Bryan, 41, who is the orchestra's principal flautist, had her instrument stolen on Monday morning from a beige backpack on a Brighton-bound train, between Farringdon and East Croydon stations.

The flute is a Brannen silver Millennium 5320 with a silver Lafin head joint and a gold lip plate. It is thought to be worth around £15,000.

British Transport Police (BTP) have launched an investigation and is appealing for information.

Ms Bryan said: "Flutes are so unique and individual to the player. To lose it and be parted from it is just like losing a limb."

"My voice is that instrument. They are all hand-made so you can't just go and buy another one to replace it."

On Monday, Ms Bryan took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to appeal for help to find her missing flute.

Benjamin Ealovega

She wrote: “Today my beloved flute was taken.

“It was in a beige rucksack, stolen between Platform 3 at Farringdon and East Croydon Station, on the 9.34 train to Brighton."

She said she has been "overwhelmed" with the response of people willing to help track it down.

She said: "I just can't believe it. I just put something online and it's gone crazy.

"You never know who is going to come across it, it gets the word out there.

"I think for my fellow musicians as well, we all realise how important the instrument is and how devastating it is when it goes missing.

"So I think the support from from my colleagues across the world really has been amazing, really amazing."

Ms Bryan said she felt “physically sick” when she realised the flute was missing.”

She was appointed to the role of principal flautist when she was 21 and has played for the RSNO for around 20 years.

A BTP spokesperson said: “BTP received a report of a suspected bag theft yesterday morning (October 23) on a train between Farringdon and East Croydon.

“The bag contained a high value flute. Inquiries are ongoing and anyone with information can contact BTP by texting 61016, quoting reference 198 of October 23.”

Thameslink, the train company Ms Bryan was travelling with when her flute was stolen, is looking into the matter.

It tweeted: “We’re sorry to hear of this upsetting news. We’re currently looking into this for you and will be back in touch if we hear anything regarding your flute.”

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