London pickpocket suspect 'put victim in trance'

An alleged pickpocket who apparently hypnotised his victim in a shop in north London is being hunted by the Metropolitan Police.

The suspect told the owner of the shop on Archway Road that his wife was pregnant and needed some water.

Police said he took cash from the shopkeeper's pockets, then left the shop,

Det Sgt Dave Bullock said the victim was "momentarily totally unaware of what has happened to him".

"The suspect's distraction tactics seemed to have put him into a trance leaving him open to be robbed,'' he added.

The events on 11 September were caught on CCTV and police are trying to trace a man aged 30-35 and about 5ft 6ins tall.