Callum Kirwin said staff at the Prince Alfred, Queensway, have been intervening to stop would-be thieves [Adrian Zorzut LDRS]

A COUNCILLOR has called for more CCTV on a busy London street after almost being pickpocketed herself, warning that thieves are targeting mothers with their children.

Laila Cunningham said more patrols are needed in Queensway and that the danger must be taken seriously.

The Conservative Lancaster Gate ward Westminster city councillor said she had confronted a man who tried to rob her in Westbourne Grove last month.

“I felt someone come by from behind.

“I was walking my baby when I caught him,” said Cllr Cunningham.

“I stopped and, in what was probably a stupid idea, confronted him and chased him away.”

She believes mothers are being targeted and recalled how one resident was refusing to leave the house with her child unless her husband is around.

Cllr Laila Cunningham, who said opportunists are acting with impunity

Cllr Cunningham said: “These are opportunists who walk around with impunity targeting vulnerable groups.”

Callum Kirwin, 21, a supervisor at the Prince Alfred in Queensway, said the people who target the pub always work in pairs.

He said one keeps an eye out while another targets unsuspecting victims at their tables.

Mr Kirwin said: “They give people something to hold onto. They make it look like a menu. They give it to them and quickly take away their phone.”

He said this happens “every single day” and has become so bad staff have had to intervene.

He added: “Rather than confronting them, we tell them to order at the bar. That’s when they know we’ve seen them and then they leave.”

Police Superintendent Beth Pirie said: “We are aware that pickpockets are an issue in the Queensway area and understand the concern this causes for those who live and work nearby.

“We have a dedicated PC and PCSO attached to the Bayswater area who regularly carry out patrols in order to deter criminals and provide community reassurance.

“In recent months we have also carried out two plain-clothes operations as part of our work to tackle this issue. We would urge anyone subject to a theft to contact police by calling 101 or 999 as soon as possible, in order to ensure officers have the best chance of identifying those responsible.”