Thief who targeted nightlife in the Gay Village charged

West Midlands Police have charged a man with a series of thefts after people enjoying nights out in Birmingham city centre, including at venues in the Gay Village, were targeted. More than 20 people are believed to have been targeted over the last 18 months by thieves working alone or in groups, and these thefts and robberies have taken place at popular nightlife venues including those on Hurst Street in the Gay Village.  

Most of the robberies have taken place between 2am and 7am, and in many cases, the thieves ‘befriended’ the victims; chatting with people before asking for their phone under the pretence of adding their number but instead running off with the handsets.

A 24-year-old man has now been arrested in connection with these crimes. The man was apprehended at around 5am on Thursday 19th June as part of the investigation on Thorp Street, during a pre-planned operation with officers from ‘Operation Fearless’. The man has now been charged with five thefts from people, and two counts of fraud, and was remanded in custody to appear before city magistrates on Friday 20th June. Officers from West Midlands Police city centre teams also continue to investigate.