A pair of pickpockets who targeted a Tube passenger from Brent during the rush hour have been sent to jail.

Alin Stoica, 23, and Marius Feraru, 26, struck at Piccadilly Circus station but their 37-year-old victim noticed her mobile phone was missing and confronted the pair.

Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard Stoica denied any wrongdoing while Feraru fled with her phone at around 7pm on September 25 this year.

The pair were caught the following day after officers circulated CCTV images of them and they were recognised by a plain clothes detective.

Last week Stoica was sentenced to 20 weeks in jail and Feraru 18 weeks after both, from Wolverhampton, admitted theft.

Sergeant James Ashby, the arresting officer, said: “Stoica and Feraru worked together as a team by using the busy environment and ‘easy dip’ tactic to steal from the victim’s pocket.

“I hope their sentences send a clear message to thieves that stealing from passengers is not tolerated and offenders will be put before the courts at the earliest opportunity.”

Click on the video above to see tips on how to avoiding being a victim of pickpockets.