Don’t get your wallet stolen

City of London Police is again warning visitors to the area’s cafes, bars and pubs to be vigilant after another wallet thief who targeted the City was jailed.

Andrew Penny was jailed for six months after stealing wallets from customers at City cafes.

The 50-year-old, from Camberwell, was caught after a City of London Police officer, investigating the theft of a wallet from a customer at a cafe on Poultry, identified him from the premise’s CCTV footage.

The officer also recognised another theft of a similar nature had occurred at a cafe on St Mary Axe, resulting in Penny being arrested and charged with both thefts.

Det Ch Insp Dave Wood said: “This is another example of a determined thief targeting the City and shows the importance of visitors to the area using the same determination to safeguard their belongings.

“Don’t get your wallet stolen. If you stop for a coffee or something to eat, keep your wallet where you can feel it, ideally your front trouser pocket.”

The images above illustrate a typical method thieves use to steal wallets.

Penny was sentenced at City of London Magistrates' Court (19 July 2011), having previously pleaded guilty to the two thefts.

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