Police have pounced on pickpockets as part of a united operation tackling thieves on public transport.

Operation Spiderweb, carried out by officers from the Met, British Transport Police and Transport for London, on March 22 and 23 saw five arrested in around the West Croydon transport hub.

Arrests were for offences including possession of cannabis, shoplifting and in connection with robbery on a bus.

An additional 13 arrests were made by the Met Police’s Safer Transport Command for theft related offences.

Chief Superintendent Sultan Taylor Safer Transport Command said: "Project Spiderweb is a policing partnership between the MPS Safer Transport Command, British Transport Police and Transport for London to continue to achieve lower crime, fewer victims and increase public confidence in the transport network and increase passenger numbers."