TWO suspected pickpockets were arrested by police on St Albans market last Wednesday after being spotted by plain-clothes officers. They were recognised as being wanted in connection with similar incidents in Letchworth and were subsequently charged with

TWO suspected pickpockets were arrested by police on St Albans market last Wednesday after being spotted by plain-clothes officers.

They were recognised as being wanted in connection with similar incidents in Letchworth and were subsequently charged with two additional pickpocket offences in St Albans.

The women, aged 22 and 28 respectively and from London, are currently on police bail until September 9.

They are alleged to have stolen a purse from Bon Marche last Wednesday (August 12) and from Top Shop on July 24. On both occasions the victims were in their eighties and have been reunited with their stolen possessions.

The arrests came as St Albans Neighbourhood Team Sergeant Jamie Bartlett and his Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) manned a special market stall outside Marks and Spencer in addition to the regular plain-clothed patrols they carry out.

Sgt Bartlett said that purse and mobile phone lanyards, ultra violet pens and number plate locks had been given out to members of the public and while police were at the stall, two plain-clothed officers spotted two women wanted in connection with pickpocket offences in Letchworth.

Jamie advised people to take care of their purses, especially in busy places like the city centre or supermarkets, station and cash points.