A BELLINGHAM Tube thief has been jailed after being caught by a plain-clothes copper shortly after pocketing a woman’s mobile phone.

David Wilson, of Arnulf Street, was sentenced to 20 weeks in prison after pleading guilty to theft at City of London Magistrates’ Court on April 16.

The 48-year-old was spotted acting suspiciously by a BTP officer 15 minutes after stealing the 23-year-old victim’s phone from her bag on a Jubilee line Underground train from Canary Wharf on March 1.

Wilson hurled the phone onto the floor of the carriage after the officer identified himself and asked him to leave the train.

The officer picked up the phone and chased Wilson – who was restrained, arrested and taken to a London police station.

Speaking after the sentencing investigating officer Detective Constable Paul Boreham said: “Thanks to the quick actions of the patrolling officer, Wilson was quickly arrested and prosecuted.

“BTP has recently launched Operation Magnum, an initiative designed to crack down on the theft of passenger’s property.

“Our pickpocket squad officers patrol the Tube network every day and are highly trained in spotting the kind of behaviour that tells them someone is intent on theft.

“We arrest these types of offenders every day but there are also lots of things that passengers can do to make sure they protect themselves from pickpockets.

“Remember to zip up your bags and hold them in front of you with the flaps against your body, keep your jewellery, mobile phones and MP3 players hidden and stay alert to what’s going on around you.”

Tips for keeping your property safe on London’s Tubes and trains:

  • Keep purses secure and carry wallets in an inside pocket
  • Zip up hand and shoulder bags
  • Carry bags in front of you with flaps against your body
  • Keep straps short and bags tucked under your arm
  • Don’t display jewellery, mobile phones and MP3 players
  • Don’t show your money — keep it safely in your pocket
  • Stay alert and aware of what's going on around you when using your phone in public