Crimestoppers has announced a reward of up to £10,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of a man believed to be responsible for a sustained campaign of violent robberies across Solihull. Police and the charity say more than 50 offences have been reported in the last 12 months.
Pattern of attacks and victims
According to the charity, the incidents predominantly involve assailants targeting lone women and older, vulnerable individuals. Victims have been approached from behind, knocked to the ground and subjected to blows to the head and face; on some occasions they have reportedly been strangled before jewellery such as gold chains, bracelets and earrings were taken.
"The police are working really hard to apprehend this guy, as he is a danger to local people,"
The statement from Crimestoppers underlined concerns about the level of violence used in these offences and appealed for anyone with information to come forward anonymously.
How the public can help
To aid identification, Crimestoppers and West Midlands Police have released images of the man they wish to trace. The charity has stressed that even if a witness cannot clearly see the suspect's face, they may recognise other details — for example, someone they know selling the specific types of jewellery mentioned.
- Reward: Up to £10,000
- Reported offences: More than 50 in the past 12 months
- Typical stolen items: gold chains, bracelets and earrings
- How to contact Crimestoppers: online form or 0800 555 111
| Detail | Reported figure |
|---|---|
| Number of offences | More than 50 |
| Maximum reward | £10,000 |
Practical information and next steps
Crimestoppers emphasise that calls and online submissions to the charity are never traced or recorded. The reward will be paid only for information passed directly to Crimestoppers rather than to the police; anyone wishing to be eligible must request a reward code when contacting the charity and, if using the online service, use the "keeping in contact" facility to obtain the code.
The appeal is likely to prompt renewed enquiries by the force as well as interest from local residents. Anyone who believes they have relevant information can contact Crimestoppers anonymously via their website or by calling 0800 555 111.
West Midlands Police continue to investigate the incidents, and the release of photos by the charity and the force is intended to generate new leads. Local people are being asked to remain vigilant, to consider whether items offered for sale locally could be linked to the attacks, and to report anything suspicious via the Crimestoppers channels.
