Crackdown on Westminster Bridge con artists

MPs have called for a crackdown on gangs using dice games and card tricks to con tourists walking along Westminster Bridge, the London Evening Standard has reported.

There are up to nine gangs in the area, with each gang comprising of a dealer, a “banker” and two con artists posing as members of the public winning money. Meanwhile, other gang members keep an eye out for the police and intervene when people complain.

Mark Field, the Cities of London and Westminster MP, warned that these gangs are growing in number and might spoil London’s reputation in the run up to the Olympics.

“It is a clear problem that we get in this part of town. There is a limited amount of police resources they have to move people on.

“It is a blight, it happens every year. It runs the risk of undermining a very important time when we want to showcase London to the world.”

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