A serial thief has been jailed for four years for preying on the elderly and assaulting a police officer.

The prolific pickpocket, Richard Dolphy, 53, of Newlands Road, Norbury, was sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court after he was found guilty of eight offences of theft and one for assault.

Dolphy also admitted to another sixteen offences of theft which the court took into consideration when sentencing him.

Dolphy targeted the elderly and vulnerable as they travelled on buses, often having watched them as they left banks and cash machines.

His method would be to sit next to his victims and pretend that he had dropped coins on the floor, then distract them by placing his bag over their laps while he bent down to rifle through their bags to get the money, stealing their wallets and purses.

Met police officers recognised Dolphy's distinct method of pick pocketing through detailed analysis and research as well as CCT footage of Dolphy at work.

He was arrested on March 19, assaulting a plainclothes police officer.

Interviewed by the Met’s ‘Dip Squad’, a dedicated team which deals with pick pocketing, he admitted to all the offences.

In total, he stole more than £4,500 from elderly and vulnerable members of the travelling public.

Chief superintendent Joe Royle said: "This result is down to the dedication and team work of the intelligence unit and Dip Squad and their effective use of CCTV in the fight against crime which has led to a prolific criminal being taken out of action."

A police spokesman said: "These were cowardly offences targeted at the most vulnerable members of our society.

“The sentence shows that the court takes these crimes seriously, and I am glad that our CCTV images were helpful to the police in bringing this man to justice."

Dolphy was sentenced last Wednesday.