A MAN from Wandsworth has been jailed after being caught red-handed dipping into a woman’s purse at Piccadilly Circus.

Plain clothed officers, part of British Transport Police’ proactive theft team, witnessed Ferragh and another man acting suspiciously, walking closely behind a woman.

The two men were arrested after officers caught them trying to steal the victims phone and bank cards from her handbag, on December 9, 2020.

Walid Ferragh, 22, of Garratt Terrace in Wandsworth, was jailed for 16 weeks, which was extended to 38 weeks in prison for breaching a previous suspended sentence.

Abdul Boumssaid

Abdul Boumssaid

Abdul Boumssaid, 24, of no fixed address, was jailed for 14 weeks and handed a £200 fine for possession of cannabis.

Both men were sentenced on Wednesday, January 20.

Chief Inspector Stuart Middlemas said: “This is a very good example of how we operate as a Police Force, and particularly how we police the theft of people’s property, which we take very seriously.

“Our specialist teams, like the proactive theft team, often wear plain clothes when patrolling, so even when you can’t see us, we’re still there, on hand and ready to respond.”