Tickets Please

In summer Simon wore a sombre suit, white shirt and black tie. At intervals he would call a warning for passengers to be alert for pickpockets. Instinctively men patted their pockets and the women clutched their handbags tighter. Further up the platform his team would swing into action picking out their mark and communicating their intentions to each other. Some worked alone others as a team, bumping into the mark or just bunching up at the ticket barrier, two of the team made the mark beyond the ticket barrier whilst the only woman on the team struck outside the station, usually near or in a bus queue.
Simon was always aware of his surroundings. He could sense a copper even if he was behind him and at the slightest hint of something out of kilter he would skip his routine and join the crowd - always with a genuine ticket. The team would then melt away and regroup at another station.
Winter was a difficult time, overcoats, scarves, hats, gloves and the thick clothing made it difficult. Some of the team had headed south to warmer climes.
That December day before Christmas the crowds were inflated by shoppers. The platform staff were under pressure - their vigilance spread thin.
Simon was acting alone. He brushed against his mark then moved away letting the old man go ahead. Whatever it was that old geezer was carrying it must be worth a bit the way he was holding himself.
Simon knew what to do, he moved ahead again rapidly, this time crashing into the old man and shouting 'you all right mate?' he caught the old man by the shoulder and steadied him. The man looked shocked and confused. Like taking sweets off a baby, Simons hand plunged inside mans clothing grabbed the bag he had felt there and disappeared into the crowds, on his way he surreptitiously released the cord on the cloth bag.
The railway policeman looked at the old man sitting opposite him, 'Can you sign and print your name on the statement please' he said. The old man adjusted his glasses read it through, nodded, and signed it.
The policeman looked at the signature and also nodded. He told the old man he would be forwarding the statement but others would decide if he was to be prosecuted. Defrauding the railways and breaking their carriage rules was a serious offence, however in the circumstances he thought they might be lenient. The old man thanked him and said he hadn't realised he was committing an offence!
The policeman said that off the record he thought his attacker would probably be looking for a career change.
The old man stood and asked if he could have his property back which had been placed on the warm radiator, the policeman nodded, he couldn't abide snakes…