Twenty-two Thai prostitutes are rounded up in trucks as police launch a bizarre, humiliating crime blitz in the hunt for a stolen iPhone.

Officers picked up the sex workers from the beachfront in Pattaya, Thailand. The women were driven to the local station to have their details taken while officers investigated a phone stolen from two Russian women the night before.

Officers later raided the home of a "ladyboy" (the local term for a transexual) who confessed to stealing the handset from tourist Julia Krasilnikova, 30, as she relaxed on the beach.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Piyapong Ansan said: ‘’Police targeted the beach area and took the details of prostitutes there in order to prevent crime in the future. A total of 22 women were detained at the station and had their photographs taken and names and addresses recorded. If ever a tourist has a problem, this will make it easier to trace the offender. Protecting tourists is important and we will the use the full force of our resources to do that.''

Twenty-two Thai hookers are rounded up in trucks as police launch a bizarre crime blitz - as they hunt a stolen iPhone.

Officers picked up the random sex workers from the seedy beachfront in Pattaya, Thailand. The girls were driven to the local station to have their details taken while cops investigated a phone stolen from two Russian girls the night before.

Officers later raided the home of a ladyboy who confessed to stealing the handset from tourist Julia Krasilnikova, 30, as she relaxed on the beach.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Piyapong Ansan said: ‘’Police targeted the beach area and took the details of prostitutes there in order to prevent crime in the future. A total of 22 women were detained at the station and had their photographs taken and names and addresses recorded. If ever a tourist has a problem, this will make it easier to trace the offender. Protecting tourists is important and we will the use the full force of our resources to do that.''

The crackdown came after Russian holidaymaker Julia and her friend were approached by a ladyboy drinking beer who began chatting with them at 4am on Thursday morning. After the pair left, Julia discoverer her iPhone 6 had gone missing and called police.

Officers arrested the transsexual and they handed over the stolen goods. They were pictured making a confession and apology at the Pattaya City police station.

Pol Lt Col Ansan added: ''Police checked CCTV and made a quick response to solve the crime. The ladyboy was arrested and they will be prosecuted according to the law.''