Undercover police in bid to catch pickpockets in Sheffield city centre

Officers in uniform have also been patrolling the streets to deter criminals from targeting shoppers.

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South Yorkshire Police said the operation, which has been carried out by the Sheffield Central Neighbourhood Policing Team since the start of December, is aimed at '˜preventing and tackling the seasonal increase in pickpocketing often seen in city centres'.

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Those raising suspicions have been stopped by officers.

Purse bells have been handed out to shoppers to make it more difficult for pickpockets to steal their cash.