FIVE pickpockets who stole from an elderly tourist have been jailed for a total of 20 months.

Iosif Lacatus, 41, Iulia Vagra, 31, Mioara Korozsi, 31, and Angela Panaitescu, 39 all of Buckland Road, Leyton, and Constanin Rezmives, 33, of Frith Road, Leyton, admitted theft.

The gang, all from Leyton, were arrested after plain clothes British Transport Police (BTP) officers spotted them acting suspiciously outside Westminster tube station.

Sgt Steve Bryan, of the BTP specialist pickpocket squad, said: “The officer spotted five people paying very close attention to passengers' belongings, particularly their bags.

“The group repeatedly wandered in and out of the ticket hall before focusing their attention on an elderly tourist, who was queueing at a food stall outside the station.”

Panaitescu stood by as a lookout and Rezmives, Lacatus and Korozsi blocked the 73-year-old from moving while Varga stole a wallet containing £190 from his trousers.

But the undercover officers saw the theft and immediately arrested the gang.

Sgt Bryan said: “This sentencing should send a clear message to would-be thieves that we are out arresting those who think they have the right to help themselves to other people's property.”

The theft happened at about 1.30pm on June 9.

The thieves were all handed four month sentences by Westminster Magistrates Court a day later.

Mike Maynard, London Underground head of operational support, said: “We want Londoners to feel they can travel in a safe and secure environment and now that these pickpockets have been put behind bars our passengers need no longer be preyed upon.”