Three men sought over spate of pickpocketing at stations

Detectives yesterday released photographs of Andrzej Zimnocha, 57, and Zbigniew Dariusz Dudek, 49, as well as another man. They would like to speak to the three in connection with a string of thefts which took place up to two years ago.

Detective Sergeant Bill Henry, the senior investigating officer in the case, said all three of the men are believed to come from Poland.

He said: “We believe these men may still be living in the United Kingdom following a series of pickpocket attacks between April and November 2009.

“The appeal follows on from the sentencing of pickpocket Mikolaj Andrzej Szyjkowski, 50, from Scotia Road in Stoke, at Sheffield Crown Court in December 2010 after pleading guilty to conspiracy to steal.”

A spokesman for British Transport Police confirmed that Szyjkowski, from Poland, targeted vulnerable and elderly passengers at railway stations in more than 27 separate offences.

He was arrested and charged after he was picked out in an identity parade by a number of victims.

Det Sgt Henry added: “It is not common practice for us to release the names of people we would like to speak to in connection with crimes committed on the railway, but we have taken this step because these men have been identified as people we need to make contact with as a matter of urgency.

“The men may be living in the Sheffield or Birmingham New Street areas, or may now have moved elsewhere in the country or even gone back to Poland.

“We are investigating a number of thefts and we welcome any information as to these men’s whereabouts, especially as the thefts have caused unnecessary stress and inconvenience to the vulnerable and elderly victims of these crimes.”

Anyone with information about the offences is asked to contact officers at British Transport Police on 0800 405040.

Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555111.

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