A TEAM of women pickpockets have been jailed for a series of thefts from tourists and commuters in central London.

The four women, two from Enfield, one from Haringey and one of no fixed address, were sentenced just before Christmas for pickpocket offences carried out on October 19.

They were spotted by officers from the Metropolitan Police Service Safer Transport Command (STC) pickpocket squad at a bus stop in Marble Arch.

Officers said they saw the women watching tourists and passengers. They then travelled along Oxford Street by bus, closely watched by the officers before entering a shop where they unsuccessfully attempted to pickpocket a customer.

Police then said the gang entered a coffee shop where they were caught committing another two offences and arrested. After they were searched, the stolen property was found on them.

All four were sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on December 21.

Gergina Ruseva, 25, and 33-year-old Parashkeva Ivanova, both of Hereward Gardens, received 16 months imprisonment.

Mariya Ilieva, 32, of Willingdon Road, was handed 12 months imprisonment while Stefka Ivanova of no fixed abode, received 22 months in jail, including six months for another offence which is to run concurrently.

Superintendent Derrick Griffiths of the STC said: “The criminal activities of pickpockets cause a great deal of distress to their victims, often elderly females.

"These sentences will make the streets safer and act as a real deterrent to other pickpockets.”