Birmingham pickpocket jailed for stealing woman's purse at shopping centre

A pickpocket who targeted shoppers at a Birmingham shopping centre has been jailed.

Dara Singh, from the West Heath area of Birmingham, pinched a purse from a woman’s bag while on the escalator at One Stop Shopping Centre in Perry Barr on November 23. The 53-year-old was spotted stealing a purse by a member of staff from the shopping centre who rang the police.

Officers went to the scene, arrested Singh and remanded him into custody after charging him with a theft offence. He appeared at Birmingham Magistrates Court on November 24 where he pleaded guilty to one charge of theft from a person and was jailed for 28 days.

Pc Mat Evans, city centre neighbourhood policing officer, said: “This arrest was all thanks to an eagle eyed staff member who had the presence of mind to act when he saw Singh up to no good.  

"Specialist officers from Operation Willowvale have been working with staff at stores and shopping centres across the force to help them spot the tell-tale signs of professional pickpockets at work.  

“The police can’t be everywhere at once, so it’s important everyone knows what to look for so they can keep themselves and the people around them safe from these opportunist thieves.”