The unsuspecting Christmas shopper doesn't even look round as the man comes up behind her, extending his surgical tongs towards her bag.

As she continues to shop for festive food, he walks past, leaving her completely unaware of what he has just lifted from her open handbag.

Because this particular pickpocket, caught on CCTV, has learned how to relieve the people of Turin of their Christmas money, using just a pair of tweezers.

Scroll down for video

Skill: The thief is caught on camera using surgical tongs to steal cash from a shopper's pocket in Turin

Nickname: His precision and unusual implement led local police to dub him the 'Surgeon Pickpocket'

Turin police finally arrested a 46-year-old man - who they named only as Massimo T - on Wednesday after he allegedly snatched a €20 bill from the trousers a man, who was standing in a queue.

At the time, he had €620 tucked in his shoes.

This was far from the first time the so-called 'Surgeon Pickpocket' - given the name by officers due to his unusual choice of implement - had struck.

A video released by police reveals the thief stalked his victims around the supermarkets and shopping malls around the historic Italian city.

CCTV caught him in the act - and clearly show the tongs in action on at least one occasion.

According to police, his favourite victims were distracted grandmothers and older people, who he would line up behind at the till and wait for the perfect moment to pounce.

They say he showed a great deal of skill in using the tongs - but would not reveal what he did for a living.

Caught: A man was finally arrested on Wednesday, after police in Turin were alerted to a number of people complaining they had lost money while out shopping, usually €20 or €50 notes

Consequences: Police have so far refused to say what the man did for a living - which may have helped explain exactly why he was so handy with the implement - but have revealed he is expected to face a trial

Carabinieri military police officers of the San Donato station began investigating after shoppers began to complain that they had lost €20 or even €50 notes from their pockets.