A THIEF has been banned from stepping foot in Southend after a string of phone thefts in takeaways in the city.

The crook, originally from Nottingham, was involved in three distraction thefts in the last six weeks that saw mobile phones stolen.

A phone was stolen from a customer in McDonald’s in Southend High Street on January 23, then from a second person in the same restaurant the following day, before a third phone was stolen from Wingstop in London Road, Westcliff, on February 17.

In each incident the victim reported someone asking them for directions or money while their mobile phone was on the table, only to then find the phone had been taken.

On Thursday, the man, 22, was arrested in Queen’s Road, Southend.

The crook has accepted three adult cautions as well as being banned from being in Southend at any point.

Essex Police refused to issue the name of the man involved as he has not been charged with any offence.

Martin Terry, councillor responsible for public protection, said: “I am glad to see the swift action by the police. It shows people need to be on guard.

“The thief needed to be stopped in their tracks which is what the police have done here. It’s a good result.

“This sends out a strong message that Essex Police will catch them and taken action if people like this are in the city. I welcome this whole heartedly.”

A second man, also aged 22, was arrested but has been released and will face no further action.

Police say officers worked with businesses and used Southend Council CCTV to help catch and deal with the thief and ban him from the city.

A spokesman for Essex Police posted on Facebook: “Southend’s town centre team’s PC Cann was in action on Thursday when he spotted suspects for recent distraction thefts of mobile phones that have been taking place in the city centre.

“Following PC Cann’s stop on a vehicle, two male suspects from Nottingham were arrested and detained in police custody.

“Following a thorough investigation and with the aid of our businesses, Southend Council CCTV team and the victims of these offences, one suspect was positively identified and issued with a caution, now prohibiting him from entering Southend.”