A London cabbie’s determination to reunite a passenger with her misplaced jewellery has highlighted the lengths to which some drivers go to help their customers.
On the evening of 30 August, Paul Ludlow, a cabbie of 12 years, picked up a lady and her elderly mother from Selfridges, transporting them to Harrods. With the rank at Harrods being busy, Paul had to drop them slightly before it, and the pair left his taxi without incident.
However, as Paul drove away, he spotted a bag left on the back seat. Acting swiftly, he pulled in front of the rank, hoping to locate the passengers. Unfortunately, they had already disappeared from view. With no immediate way to find them, Paul inspected the bag, discovering jewellery and a belt, accompanied by a receipt worth over £700.
Paul immediately set about trying to return the lost items. Initially, he contacted Selfridges customer services, but their advice to deposit the bag in lost property left Paul uneasy. The expensive jewellery, he felt, needed more direct action to reach its rightful owner.
Undeterred, Paul approached the counter at Selfridges where the jewellery had been bought—Monica Vinader. Fortunately, customer sales assistant Layla remembered the pair. Upon hearing Paul’s story, she tracked down the original transaction and contacted the customer, ultimately sharing Paul’s details.
The grateful passenger, who had already returned to her home abroad, reached out to Paul, overwhelmed by his efforts. She had assumed the jewellery was gone for good and was heartbroken by the loss. Paul’s commitment restored her prized possessions, an outcome she had thought impossible.
Suzanne Sullivan, Airport Representative for Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA), said in TAXI Newspaper: “Paul Ludlow, who has been a cabbie for 12 years, is a shining example of London’s Finest. Maybe there should be awards for such acts of kindness.
“When I spoke to Paul, he said he always tries to do his upmost to return property as it makes him feel good as the joy of the customer receiving it is priceless.”
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