Criminals caught red-handed stealing from the public are being allowed to walk free by police.

A private policing company has complained that thieves apprehended in busy shopping areas in London have been allowed to walk away by Metropolitan Police officers rather than being arrested and charged.

Staff at My Local Bobby (MLB), a private force used by shops and businesses for neighbourhood policing, reported five incidents over the past two months where they had caught thieves, only to see the suspects let go.

Dave McKelvey, founder of My Local Bobby shared this photograph of a suspected thief caught in central London by members of his team on his LinkedIn page

He complained that the Metropolitan Police let the suspect go with a warning

In a now-deleted social media post, MLB founder Dave McKelvey – a former Met Police officer with 28 years’ experience – wrote alongside a picture of a suspected thief: ‘MLB bobbies detain yet another dipper [thief] in Leicester Square as he steals from a tourist’s bag.’

He added: ‘Police attend and release the suspect advising him not to steal from people’s bags. What is happening to the job I loved? The 4th time this month!’

A fifth case, which reportedly took place on June 5, involved a thief stealing a wallet holding bank cards and about £3,000 in cash.

The suspect, also pictured by Mr McKelvey on social media, was spotted stealing by MLB staff and caught after a chase, still in possession of the wallet and money.

When police attended, the thief was served with a community resolution notice, which involved no punishment or criminal record.

MLB, made up of ex-police and ex-Army personnel, were hired by a group of local businesses in April to provide a seven-day service patrolling the area around Leicester Square. Nationally, police forces have almost 22,000 fewer officers compared with 2010 and say they have to prioritise responses to crimes.

Dave Mann, a private security consultant and former police officer for 30 years, said Met officers informed his team they would not pursue thieves who stole goods worth less than £200.

Simon Kempton, of the Police Federation officers’ union, said: ‘It is incredibly frustrating for me and my colleagues to see so many investigations being dropped due to lack of evidence and resourcing.’

Met Chief Inspector Andy Brittain said: ‘Local Safer Neighbourhood Team officers from the Met have been working in partnership with private security companies in the West End so that we are better placed to secure convictions against anyone concerned in theft and stealing.’

The Met separately denied there was an informal policy not to pursue thefts of goods under £200 and said a new policing team had been assigned last month to tackle robbery in the area.