Bus bandit's new victims

Sep 21 2007 By Mark Cowan, Birmingham Mail

MORE women have come forward as possible victims of a smartly-dressed man wanted over a string of thefts from Birmingham bus passengers.

Detectives have received a number of calls since the Birmingham Mail featured CCTV footage of the suspect who has struck at least ten times in the past three months.

A number of other possible victims of the man have also come forward.

Police were today in the process of taking statements from them and searching for fresh footage of the thefts. Detectives believe the man disarms his female victims with his neat appearance and polite manner as he sits down next to them.

But within seconds he sets to work with a blade to cut open their bags and steal their purses before getting off at the next stop.

The thief has already preyed on passengers aged between 40 and 80 in Harborne and Edgbaston, but officers believe his routes may be randomly chosen.

The thief has been operating in the city, possibly using a Daysaver-type ticket, for the past three months.

Police said the first his victims were aware they had been targeted was when they stood up to get off the bus and things dropped out of their bags.

Det Sgt Ian Shepherd, from Rose Road CID, said: "We have had a number of positive calls and we are working on a number of lines if inquiry.

"We've also had a number of calls from other women who think they might also be victims of the man. "

Anyone who recognises the man in the CCTV footage should call the Rose Road Robbery Team on 0121 626 6553 or the anonymous Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555111.