These pickpockets are good in Britain

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Bill Radke: A British telecom company is employing an unusual marketing team — a band of former pickpockets. From London, Stephen Beard reports.

Stephen Beard: Twenty former pickpockets are roaming the streets of the capital trying to put something back into society. Using all the tricks of the trade, they’re surreptitiously slipping cash into unguarded pockets and handbags. The sums range up to £20 or $33.

Not an entirely altruistic activity. Along with the cash, these artful dodgers deposit a card advertising the services of a telecom firm, the TalkTalk company. It is giving away more than $150,000 during this promotional campaign.

The “Put-pockets” as they’re called are currently working the crowds in Leicester Square, Oxford Street and the Tube. They’ve been told to avoid the financial district, in case they inadvertently give money to a banker.

In London this is Stephen Beard for Marketplace.