A pair of pickpockets tried to steal an envelope of cash from a man in Blackburn.

Totka Yordanova and Stanka Slavcheva were seen by security staff from the Mall shopping centre, attempting to steal from a man who had just withdrawn money from the bank.

Yordanova tried to take the envelope of cash from the man’s pocket while Slavcheva distracted him.

They were seen by alert security staff who caught them in the act and detained the duo at the scene.

The offence happened on November 7 and enquiries found they were wanted for two similar pickpocketing incidents in Humberside in 2022.

Last December, in a shop in Bridlington, they distracted a woman in her 70s and stole a large quantity of cash which she had withdrawn from the bank.

The previous month, Yordanova and Slavcheva stole cash from the bag of an elderly woman in an amusements centre in Cleethorpes.

Yordanova, 35, and Slavcheva, 52, both of King Cliffe Road, Huddersfield, appeared at Preston Crown Court last week.

They were both jailed for 30 months after pleading guilty to attempted theft, theft from the person and theft by finding.

Police are now warning people to remain vigilant, especially while carrying a large amount of cash around.

A police spokesperson said: “We advise people not to carry large amounts of cash when they are shopping and going about their daily business.

“If you see anyone acting suspiciously around other people and attempting to steal, please contact police immediately.”