This is the haul of 253 handbags and purses seized from the London flat of a suspected prolific thief.
The bags are believed to have been stolen from customers at cafes, restaurants and bars in the City of London and the West End.
They were recovered in a raid on an address in Peckham.
City of London police say they are trying to re-unite the bags - and 10 pairs of sunglasses - with their owners.
Sergeant Grahame Mace said police are working with venues in the Square Mile to raise staff and customers’ awareness of how they can prevent thefts
He said : “Each time a handbag is stolen, women are said to face an average bill of £109 to replace the item and its contents. However, nearly one in ten women carry a bag worth £250 or more.
“You can help prevent your handbag from being stolen by keeping it close to you – this may sound obvious but unfortunately the handbag left unattended on the back of a chair or on the floor is a prime target for an opportunist thief.”
Rabah Azzoug, 35, appeared at City of London Magistrates’ Court on Monday charged with 11 counts of theft.
