Two female pickpocketers women have been jailed after they were stung by undercover officers.

Totka Dimitrova, 48 of Haslebury Road, Edmonton and Sofiya Ivanova,23, of Pentland Close, Edmonton were caught stealing from customers in Covent Garden, central London, on July 29.

The two women targeted Londoners and tourists, including a woman with a pram.

Both women, who are from Bulgaria, were seen by British Transport Police officers on patrol at Covent Garden Underground station, and they grew suspicious of the women’s suspicious behaviour and decided to follow them.

The women then entered a shop in the Covent Garden area and began to target unsuspecting customers, attempting to pickpocket items from their bags.

Officers observed this behaviour and arrested them both.

At the Central London Magistrates’ Court on July 30, Inanova admitted four counts of attempted theft and was handed an 18-week prison sentence.

On the same day, Dimitrova admitted three charges of attempted theft and was also handed an 18-week prison sentence.

They were each ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £122.

Detective Inspector Tim Weekes from British Transport Police said: “This was a great example of how our plain clothed teams catch offenders and secure custodial prison sentences, often within 24 hours.

“Both defendants attempted to mask their tricks, however they were clearly unaware they were being trailed by our skilled team of officers.

“This week, British Transport Police has launched a week of action to tackle pickpocketing and theft on London’s rail and tube network.

“ Each day, our specialist teams have conducted patrols throughout the Underground network arresting thieves and providing advice to passengers on how to keep their belongings safe.”