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​Pickpocketers Caught Targeting Oxford Street Shoppers On Camera

​Pickpocketers Caught Targeting Oxford Street Shoppers On Camera

The group were apprehended by the Metropolitan Police's Sargeant Steve Stamp, who is part of an anti-pickpocketing team

Jess Hardiman

Jess Hardiman

A group of pickpocketers were caught targeting shoppers on London's Oxford Street, having been filmed by a police officer using his body camera in the popular shopping district.

The footage is featured on a Channel 5 documentary called Oxford Street 24/7, which aired last night (Thursday 29 November) at 9pm.

The plain clothes Metropolitan Police officer, Sergeant Stamp, was near the scene following reports that an 80-year-old woman had been 'dipped' and had her purse stolen.

Sergeant Stamp was on the lookout for the pickpocketing gang, a group of three Bulgarian women who had 'circled their prey like sharks'. Working together, they surrounded their victims before attempting to slip their hands into a handbag among the throngs of people.

But Stamp managed to spot the suspects as they attempted to steal from another shopper further down the street, catching one red-handed as she rifled through a bag.

The three women had 'circled their prey like sharks'.
Channel 5

He had also spoken to another woman who they had failed to steal from moments beforehand, with the tourist telling Stamp she'd felt someone try and open the bag - at which point she challenged them.

As Stamp spots the three women in question, he runs towards them and beckons to the camera to follow, saying: "They're doing it, they're doing it!"

He moves in and arrests the gang, showing them his police badge.

Stamp added: "They are working as a group of three, they are like sharks circling around their prey. Let's just nick them."

He then asked the victim which of the three had tried to slide her hand into the bag. The tourist replied: "The middle one."

Sargeant Stamp managed to find the three women and arrest them.
Channel 5

Stamp, who is part of the anti-pickpocketing team, explained: "What's happened is they've gone for that first lady there, tried to take something from her.

"She spotted them so they're on it. They've then moved from her, followed this lady here, straight away they are working up close.

"She's gone for the purse, tried to open up the purse and which point she has turned around and realised.

"Then she's clocked us, so we have had to go in for the kill.

"Three criminals taken off the streets. Job done."

Featured Image Credit: Channel 5

Topics: UK News, crime, London