A seemingly ordinary evening at a bustling London pub took a sinister turn when two men expertly executed a brazen theft, all captured on CCTV. The footage reveals a calculated operation, unfolding amidst laughter and clinking glasses, completely unnoticed by the victim.
Hecham Bourhar, 29, and Mohammed Kraifa, 34, meticulously positioned themselves behind a group enjoying a bottle of wine on New Street. Their movements were subtle, almost imperceptible, masking a deliberate intent. Kraifa initiated the theft, using his foot to subtly draw the woman’s bag closer to their reach.
In a swift, coordinated move, Bourhar snatched the bag and the pair vanished into the crowd. The victim remained blissfully unaware, continuing her evening as her laptop and £2,000 worth of personal belongings disappeared. It was a silent violation, hidden in plain sight.
Both men, residing on Wood Street, faced justice and were each sentenced to 18 weeks in prison for the theft. But Bourhar’s legal troubles didn’t end there; an additional eight weeks were added to his sentence for breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order – a restriction typically imposed on repeat offenders.
The breach of the order also resulted in a ban, prohibiting Bourhar from entering the historic City of London, stretching from Temple to the Tower of London. This added consequence underscores the seriousness of his repeated offenses and the determination to protect the area.
Sergeant James Wood emphasized the dedication of law enforcement, stating that relentless efforts to track down bag thieves have yielded significant arrests and successful prosecutions. He affirmed their commitment to safeguarding those who live, work, and visit the Square Mile.
In a separate incident just days later, officers apprehended two more men on suspicion of bag theft at a pub in Leadenhall Market, demonstrating an ongoing crackdown on this type of crime and a proactive response to protect the public.
