A 35-year-old man has been fined £100 for breaking into a ticket machine in Chiswick, according to Hounslow Police.

Andrei Sumlanschi, 35, was caught in the act by a police officer, as he was actively forcing entry into a ticket machine using a metal object.

Last Friday (17 September) officers from the Chiswick Safer Neighbourhood Team on patrol in Duke Road, Chiswick were approached by a member of the public who had witnessed a man attempting to break into a ticket machine.

Officers made their way to the location and were updated on several more calls being made in relation to this man.

PCSO Norris was the first on scene and witnessed Sumlanschi, of King Street, using a metal object to try and rob a ticket machine.

PCSO Norris detained Sumlanschi and was quickly joined by a PC who arrested him for criminal damage, attempted theft and going equipped to steal.

In Interview he provided no comment to all questions asked of him.

He was charged with attempted theft and on Saturday, 18 September at Uxbridge Magistrates Court he pled guilty and was issued a fine of £100.

In a statement, PCSO Callum Norris of Chiswick Safer Neighbourhood Team said: "This shows that officers are always proactively patrolling the streets, and will detect and prevent crime whilst on these patrols.

"We strive to keep the streets of Chiswick a safe place for all and would also like to thank quick thinking member of public who approached officers to make us aware of this crime which was in progress."