Pickpocket shoved two children aside to swipe their grandmother’s cash - London

A pickpocket shoved two children aside as he went after their grandmother’s handbag, sidling in beside her and swiping her phone, cards and cash.

The theft, at Paddington station on Thursday 11 August this year, was one of multiple carried out by Giuvadin Mahmet where he stole pricey belongings from commuters.

He was arrested in October by British Transport Police, jailed for 45 weeks and ordered to pay more than £3,000 in fines.

In September the 47-year-old, of De Grey Street in Kingston Upon Hull, targeted a mum at Canning Town station as she was returning from her daughter’s graduation.

She felt Mahmet close in behind her and seemly nudge her in the back. After he left the train she noticed her handbag was undone and her purse stolen.

In the same month, he followed a wife and husband up the escalators at Paddington station.

The victim suddenly felt her bag become light at the top of the escalators, she turned to see Mahmet heading back down to the platform. She shouted after him and followed but he disappeared among the crowds. Cards and cash were stolen.

His image, taken from CCTV footage of his crimes, was passed around BTP officers throughout London. He was spotted walking through London Bridge station on Friday 21 October and arrested.

Further investigation by BTPs reactive theft of passenger property team linked him to seven cases of theft, one case of attempted theft and one case of fraud by false representation.

He appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on Monday 24 October where he pleaded guilty to all counts and was sentenced to 45 weeks in jail.

Giuvadin Mahmet:

Inspector Sharon Turner, of BTPs Priority Crime Taskforce, said: “Pickpockets are attracted to large crowds and places where distractions come easy. This is why busy train stations, and travellers who are focused on their journeys, are often a primary target.

“We’re proactive about stopping these offences and have plain clothed officers across the network, especially at main stations, watching for and arresting pickpockets.

“When items are stolen, we distribute witness accounts and CCTV pictures of offenders among our officers, to help ensure the next time they enter a station they’re arrested.”