Bulgarian duo are jailed after West End pickpocketing spree

BY YANN TEAR
yann@slpmedia.co.uk

British Transport Police has reiterated its desire to bring West End pickpockets to justice after seeing two women they trailed sent to jail for their crimes.

The pair, both from Bulgaria, targeted Londoners and tourists, including a woman with a pram.

They were caught out by undercover officers, who spotted their activities in Covent Garden on July 29. Within 24 hours they had been jailed.

BT Police are currently carrying out a clampdown operation to
deter pickpockets.

Both women were seen by officers on patrol at Covent Garden Underground station.

The officers grew suspicious of the women’s behaviour and began to following them.

Both women then entered a shop in the area and began to target unsuspecting customers, attempting to pickpocket items from their bags.

In the space of 10 minutes, the duo attempted to steal items from four customers in the shop.

Officers observed their behaviour and arrested them both.
Totka Dimitrova, 48 ( pictured right), of Haslebury Road, Edmonton, and Sofiya Ivanova, 23 (left , of Pentland Close, Edmonton, north London were each arrested.

At the Central London Magistrates’ Court, the following day, Ivanova admitted four counts of attempted theft and was handed an 18-week prison sentence.

Dimitrova admitted three charges of attempted theft and was also handed a 18-week prison sentence. They were each ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £122.

CCTV footage captured the moment that both women targeted their victims – using items of clothing to disguise their tricks.

Detective Inspector Tim Weekes from British Transport Police, said: “This was a great example of how our plain clothed teams catch offenders and secure custodial prison sentences, often within 24 hours.

“Both defendants attempted to mask their tricks, however they were clearly unaware they were being trailed by our skilled team of officers.

“The CCTV footage show just how brazen this pair of
pickpockets are. They arrogantly targeted three customers within the space of 10 minutes, even targeting an unsuspecting mother with a pram.

“British Transport Police has launched a week of action to tackle pickpocketing and theft on London’s rail and Tube network.

“Our specialist teams have conducted patrols throughout the Underground network, arresting thieves and providing advice to passengers on how to keep their belongings safe.”