Robbers on the loose in the West Midlands have
been named by police who have put photos of suspected offenders on the
Internet.
The images were put up yesterday, and today the
chief constable is unveiling bus and taxi advertising to promote the
site.
They want the public to phone in with information
if they know where the suspects are hiding - but stress the arrests
should be left to the police and the public must not approach them.
Each of the 10 Most Wanted is named, and shown
with their photographs and details of where police think they may be
living now or have links.
The first phase of 10 faces has just been posted.
They are of people suspected of taking part in street robberies.
One
is known to frequent the Coventry area and is wanted for being a
suspect in an armed robbery at a housing office where a gun was used.
The site said William Dixon, aged 31, (pictured right) also goes by the names Adrian Smith, Dean Smith,
Nicholas Treadwell.
He is
known to visit Coventry, Solihull and surrounding areas. He has a
tattoo with the name Billy on his right arm. The site said:
“It
is alleged that in March this year Dixon entered a housing office in
Chelmsley Wood and threatened staff with a handgun, demanded money
and assaulted a customer before making off with approximately £4,000
cash.
The
force is believed to be the first in the country to take this
initiative of publishing details of offenders for the public to view.
The Government has given £3.3 million to support the project to crack
down on street robbery.
Chief Constable Edward Crew said:
“Street robbery is a very serious crime and
one that we are committed to tackling. Initially Safer Streets only
concentrated on Birmingham where the majority of these crimes occur.
“However, the success of the operation and
additional funds from the Government has now allowed us to take
force wide. We are making the names and pictures of these 10 people
available to the public in order to show that we are very serious
about the initiative.
“This is not a ‘flash in the pan’.
Although Safer Streets is being expanded force wide today it will
continue without time limit. We are determined to make a difference
across the West Midlands.”
Police are working with businesses and retailers
to raise awareness of street robbery and a major marketing effort is
launched today.
Mr Crew said:
“We are trying to tackle as many parts of
this issue as possible.
"We will encourage the courts to take a
tough line with offenders, we will be working with the public and
other agencies to help people stop becoming victims and we will
improve and streamline our methods of
dealing with victims and criminals.”
