Needle attacks on women

Mike Olley, Broad Street manager, says businesses on Broad Street are doing all they can to make sure there are no more attacks.

Detective Chief Inspector Tom Chisholm from West Midlands Police on the ongoing investigation.

Six more people have come forward to police, saying they have been stabbed by needles in Birmingham city centre.

The most recent four attacks took place on Broad Street all between 3am and 4am, around the bar areas. One woman claims to have been stabbed with a needle only this weekend.

Police continue to appeal for information regarding the attacks.

Earlier today, a CCTV image was released of a witness Police would like to speak with, believing he may have seen the attacks, or know who carried them out.

Read more: Needle attacks in Birmingham

West Midlands Police are reassuring club-goers following a series of needle attacks in Birmingham's Broad Street by increasing patrols in the city centre.

Police are looking for a witness as part of their investigation into a series of needle attacks in Birmingham’s Broad Street.

Detectives have released a CCTV image of the man (pictured left) who was captured on camera just after an attack at around 3am on Sunday November 3, when a 30-year-old woman felt a sharp pain in her thigh, which was later found to be a puncture wound.

They believe he may have witnessed the attack or know the person responsible.

The man pictured on the right is thought to be responsible for the attacks, and Police are trying to trace him.

Detective Inspector Julie Woods, from Force CID said:

“We have received several calls with information following the appeal on Friday and are currently following these up. We have also received reports of six further attacks going back over the last six months which could possibly be linked to the same suspect."

“However, we are still keen to hear from anyone who has any information about these incidents and who recognises either of the men in the CCTV images."

"These are strange offences and the motive at this stage is unclear, but we do not underestimate the anxiety and stress that the attacks can cause."

Detectives investigating a spate of needle attacks on women on nights out in Birmingham has identified a "concerning pattern" of behaviour by the culprit.

Supt Danny Long told ITV News Central that the attacker appeared to be targeting young women between around 3am and 4am, when they are likely to be vulnerable.

The attacks have all happened in a small area of Broad Street, between Gas Street and Granville Street.

All five needle attacks on women over the past 18 months took place along a 500-foot stretch of Birmingham's clubbing hotspot Broad Street.

Supt Danny Long told ITV News Central that the attacker targeted the women - who were all aged between 20 and 30 - along the stretch between Gas Street and Granville Street every time.

Nightspots along the stretch include Mooch Bar, Risa, and the Figure of Eight.

CCTV from the street has been released showing a clear picture of a man police believe may be connected to the attacks.

Police believe there may be more people who have been targeted in a recent spate of needle attacks who have not come forward.

Supt Danny Long told ITV News Central because the injuries were so small, it was possible people may have woken the next morning with soreness or red marks and not realised what they were.

He urged anyone who was concerned they may have been a victim to come forward and speak to police, who would support them through the necessary health checks.

Five women have been stabbed by hypodermic needles in just over 18 months in a spate of attacks in Birmingham city centre.

Police believe the man behind the attacks is deliberately targeting women in their 20s.

The full list of attacks is as follows:

• A 25-year-old woman stabbed on March 25, 2012
• A 28-year-old woman on June 18, 2012
• A 20-year-old woman on June 23 this year
• A 28-year-old woman on October 6
• A 30-year-old woman on November 3