London Cabbie Hailed for Returning £100k Hermès Bag Left in Taxi

Overview

A London black cab driver has been hailed for his honesty after returning a £100,000 Hermès Birkin handbag left behind by a tourist visiting from the Middle East.

The luxury handbag—often dubbed the world’s most sought-after accessory—was discovered in the backseat after the driver dropped the woman off at her Knightsbridge hotel on Monday evening.

Speaking about the moment he found the bag, the driver, who wished to remain %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_0%%, said:
"I noticed the bag on the backseat after the fare got out. I could see straight away this wasn't an ordinary handbag. I drove straight back to the hotel to return it. That's just what we do. This is why London black cabs are the best in the world — we're trusted."

Emotional Reunion

The owner, a visitor from %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_1%%, was overwhelmed with emotion when the bag was returned. She later posted a heartfelt message on social media, thanking the driver—identified only as Terry—for his incredible honesty.

In her post, she wrote:
"Dear Terry, I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for your incredible honesty and kindness in returning my bag. When you couldn't find any contact details inside, most people might have given up — but you went above and beyond."

She went on to explain how Terry's quick thinking—checking her Dubai Mall Lounge membership—enabled him to track her down and personally drive back from Sussex the following day to hand her belongings back safely.

"The fact that you personally drove back to return my belongings — safe and completely intact — speaks volumes about your character," she said.

A Profession Underappreciated

While proud of his actions, Terry expressed frustration at the lack of recognition London cabbies receive from %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_2%% Hall and government officials.

"It's a shame the London Mayor and our politicians don't think the same about us cabbies," he said. "We're ambassadors for London. Honesty, reliability, safety — that's what you get with a black cab."

Social Media Applause

The story quickly gained traction online, with the video tribute from the bag's owner going viral. Viewers praised the cabbie’s integrity, flooding the comments with messages of respect.

One user commented:
"This is what being a London cabbie is all about. You don't get this from app drivers. Absolute legend."

Another wrote:
"Cabbies are the heartbeat of this city. This shows why they deserve respect and protection."

Calls for Greater Support of Black Cabs

Trade bodies, including the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA), highlighted the incident as proof of why London's black cab industry must be safeguarded against the pressures of ride-hailing %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_3%%.

In a statement, the LTDA said:
"London's cabbies continue to set the gold standard in service and trustworthiness. This driver's actions exemplify why black cabs remain the safest and most reliable form of transport in London."