Prolific Birmingham pickpocket who ‘targeted mums and carers' jailed
Fadi Zemmour preyed on one victim while they were distracted helping an elderly relative while a number of his other targets were looking after youngsters in pushchairs, West Midlands Police said.
Officers from Operation Taurus, the force's proactive pickpocketing team in Birmingham city centre, spotted the series of thefts and their investigations led to Zemmour being identified.
The 36-year-old, of no fixed address, was travelling to Birmingham from London to commit the crimes over three months last summer
He was arrested in London on December 12 before being brought back to the West Midlands to face justice.
He admitted eight thefts, three attempted thefts and one fraud by false representation when he appeared at Birmingham Magistrates Court on 17 December.
Earlier this week (January 28), he was jailed for 16 months at Birmingham Crown Court, with the judge saying he posed a risk to the public.
PC Amy O'Connor, from Op Taurus, said: 'Pickpocketing is not a petty crime as some believe, and it can have a lasting impact on the victims.
"I'd encourage everyone to be on the lookout for the tricks and tactics that pickpockets use so they can help protect themselves and keep their property safe."
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