Scoundrel Snatches Busker’s Loose Change in Seconds
A sharp-suited thief dubbed “the lowest of the low” snatched loose change from a tin whistle busker at Tottenham Court Road station on Thursday. The cheeky crime was caught on camera by a passerby who’d intended only to film the musician’s street serenade.
The clip shows the crook darting down the escalator, pausing just long enough to swipe the cash from the busker’s collection case, then vanishing into the crowd before anyone could react.
Passerby Captures Rapid Heist
Jitrtiwa Jawjit, who filmed the ordeal, said: “I was waiting for my friend and filmed the performance when suddenly the thief snatched a handful of cash and sprinted straight through the crowd. He moved so fast, stopping him was impossible.”
Station staff later checked on the shaken musician, while witnesses claimed the culprit had a history of stealing at other Tube stations. Moved by the busker’s plight, Jawjit handed him £5 the next day.
TfL and Social Media Demand Justice
Transport for London staff expressed solidarity with the busker, as social media users slammed the thief and urged police to catch him. One Facebook commenter fumed, “If I’d seen that, I’d have lost it.”
Siwan Hayward, TfL’s Director of Security, Policing and Enforcement, blasted the crook: “Our buskers bring joy and colour to the Tube every day. It’s disgraceful to steal from those who rely on their performances to survive.” TfL has reached out to support the victim and called on the public to help the British Transport Police.
Police Appeal for Witnesses
The British Transport Police said no official reports have been made yet, but urged anyone who saw the crime or has information to come forward. A spokesperson said: “If you witness or are a victim of a crime on the Tube or railway, text us on 61016.”
This brazen theft underscores the ongoing risks buskers face across London’s transport network, spotlighting the urgent need for community vigilance and respect.
