A Dagenham man has been jailed after he was caught red-handed by undercover detectives trying to pick-pocket tourists on the tube.

Romeo Haret, of Valence Circus, was a member of a pick-pocketing gang that targeted their victims at Westminster underground station.

The 25-year-old, Loredana Pantica, 21, and Florintina Pantica, 18, both from Burton Upon Trent, were spotted following a mother and daughter by the plain clothes officers.

All three stood closely behind the victim and Florintina used a scarf to hide her hand, reach out, open the victim’s rucksack and put her hand inside.

The officers swooped in and arrested them within seconds.

Last week at Blackfriars Crown Court they were convicted of conspiracy to steal.

Haret was jailed for 16 months and his accomplices were given a suspended prison sentence and ordered to do 180 hours community service each.

PC Steven Bryan, investigating officer, said: “The sentence shows that the courts take this kind of offence very seriously.”