PICK POCKET SUSPECTS WORKING AT RAVENSCOURT PARK TUBE

PICK POCKET SUSPECTS WORKING AT RAVENSCOURT PARK TUBE

I want to warn everybody that I have become aware of a gang working around Ravenscourt Park Underground Station who are targeting commuters walking into & out the station.  Yesterday a £1000 phone was stolen & the suspects chased.  Unfortunately escaped.  It was later discovered this same gang of 4 people (2 men & 2 women) had done the same earlier in the morning.  It now transpires this has been going on all summer about 3 times a week between 9am & 11am.  This gang have also been targeting commuters at Turnham Green & Chiswick Park.

The method is to hang around the tube going in & out the barriers.  Follow people & then pickpocket them on the stairs.  There is a person outside the tube hanging around as a lookout.  Yesterday the female victim was listening to music which stopped half way up the stairs, she turned around to see a man running away, then realized he had stolen her phone out her pocket hence the blue tooth connection for music became too far away & the music stopped.

The suspects yesterday were described as the following by witnesses:

Suspect 1

28-30 years old, male, dark toned white skin, 173cm tall, skinny build, light brown shaved hair, slight beard, wearing a black tracksuit with white rucksack.  This is the suspect that has done this in the past during the summer.  He had tattoos on show in the summer.  He is Romanian according to witness 1.

Suspect 2

28-31 years old, male, dark toned white skin, 170cm tall, medium build, light brown shaved hair, slight beard, wearing grey trousers, dark grey jumper

Suspect 3

Female, skinny build Romanian

Suspect 4

Female, medium build, Romanian

To avoid becoming their next victim, when using the tube look up & be aware of your surroundings.  British Transport Police will be looking at CCTV to investigate this crime.  Myself & PCSO Keeley will be on foot patrol when we can.  I have highlighted the issue to Met Intelligence to hopefully glean some plain clothed patrols.

If you see someone hanging around the tube, looking at passing people & you think they might be looking for people to pick pocket, note the time, their description & phone 999 for police as suspects are on scene.