Undercover police target robbers

Police are starting plain-clothes patrols in two areas of Birmingham.

They aim to tackle robbery and thefts from people after a spate of bag snatches, mainly from women.

Weekends are being targeted by plain-clothes officers patrolling on foot and in unmarked cars late into the evening and early hours of the morning.

This will continue into the New Year in the streets, canals, shops and alleyways of the Broad Street and Five Ways area of the city centre.

Officers will be stopping and searching people acting suspiciously.

Sgt Michael O'Hara, from Steelhouse Lane robbery team, said: "Our plain clothes and high visibility patrols in the entertainment heart of the city centre are designed to reassure the public who are enjoying Christmas parties at this time of year.

"It also sends a message out to criminals in the area that the police will do all that is necessary to apprehend street crime offenders."