VISITORS to King Street are being urged to stay vigilant as pickpockets have been preying on unsuspecting shoppers.

Groups of thieves, believed to be from out of the area, have been using distraction techniques to rob people of their cash, wallets and mobile phones.

The opportunists will generate a distraction by approaching their victims and either bumping into them or engaging in conversation.

While this is taking place another member of the gang will swipe whatever they can from their pockets or in many cases pushchairs.

This is a technique known as 'dipping'.

The targets tend to be elderly people and mothers with a number of bags on their prams.

At the moment around 10 incidents a week are being reported to police who want to raise awareness of this influx of light fingered sneaks.

Inspector Dave Taylor of the Hammersmith Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT), said: "The main targets are elderly people around cash points and mums who have bags around their arms and pushchairs. They will float around the area and look for the right sort of person and if the opportunity is there, they will take it. I would advise people to be aware of your surroundings and don't leave yourself open. A good example is when people are at coffee shops and they leave their phones or wallets on the table. These criminals will see this as a prime opportunity and will come and distract you. Before you know it, your mobile phone has been taken. It happened to me in Kingston a couple of years ago. It doesn't take long to realise what's happened, but as soon as you do you feel so stupid."

Thieves are also believed to be targeting parked cars near the Goldhawk Road end of King Street and in the Kings Mall car park. Police are asking drivers to make sure their belongings are kept out of sight so not to make it easy for these criminals.

Plain clothes police officers are currently working around Lyric Square and King Street.

To avoid becoming a victim, police are advising that people keep their possessions either fully zipped up or out of sight at all times, to keep handbags over the shoulder diagonally and to stay alert in large crowds.

Anyone who wishes to report a crime to the Hammersmith SNT, should call 0208 721 2057.