Police warnings in Romanian attempt to stop pickpockets targetting Christmas shoppers

Police warnings in Romanian have appeared on a London street in attempt to stop pickpockets targetting Christmas shoppers.

The notices have been posted in Covent Garden are thought to be aimed at organised criminal gangs.

The Romanian text 'Ofiteri de politie in civil opereaza in aceasta zona' translates as 'Plainclothes police officers operating in this area.'

Scotland Yard described it as a crime prevention tactic to give reassurance about the presence of police officers.