Solihull women left terrified as jewellery snatched in masked robberies

Three people have been arrested so far in the investigation with one bailed and two released.

Det Insp Stuart Lewis said they were keeping an open mind as to how many people were involved, given the variation in the descriptions of the robber.

“Some say he is in his 20s, some in his 30s, predominantly stocky build on both occasions,” Lewis said.

“He’s also been described as a white male or potentially a light-skinned black male.”

Sometimes the perpetrator in one of the robberies used distraction techniques, like asking if victims have seen kids playing football.

“Other times he’ll come up behind and strike a female to the back of the head… knock them to the floor,” Lewis said, adding no-one had been seriously injured so far.

Women were predominantly targeted, he added, and they were being singled out for their gold jewellery, bracelets and necklaces.

Whoever was behind the robberies was working in the Chelmsley Wood and Smith’s Wood area of Solihull and were believed to be from the area.

Extra patrols were taking place in the community, Lewis said, and inquiries have taken place at local pawn shops and jewellery brokers but nothing was recovered.