Police have released a CCTV image of a man they want to trace as part of their investigations into the robbery of a courier in Birmingham.
The female courier was left injured after the incident in Sheldon two weeks ago.
After trawling CCTV footage from the surrounding streets, West Midlands Police have now identified a man they think may have information about the robbery.
The 30-year-old woman was delivering a parcel in Dovercourt Road on Thursday November 5 when a man jumped into the driver’s seat.
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In a bid to stop her van being stolen, the courier rushed back to it and managed to open a door, but was struck by the moving vehicle as it sped off. She suffered a broken finger and sprained ankle during the robbery.
It was the latest in a spate of delivery driver robberies across the region in recent weeks. There were 10 in Wolverhampton and Walsall in the space of just 10 days.
One driver suffered cuts and bruises after he grabbed the door handle on the passenger side of his car to prevent it being stolen and was dragged along before having to let go.
Police are now urging couriers not to be a hero and try to tackle the robbers, because they risk injury. They are also reminding them to always lock their vehicles when making deliveries to prevent thieves getting into their vehicles.
They said during lockdown when more people are doing online shopping, and also in the run-up to Christmas, couriers were an attractive target for robbers.
A West Midlands Police spokesman said: “With Christmas just over a month away it’s a particularly busy time for couriers who work around the clock to get parcels delivered, particularly this year during the Covid lockdown as more people shop online.
“Unfortunately parcel thieves target delivery vehicles for valuable items, and have been known to loot parcels, and steal vans and cars.
“If you are unfortunate enough to be targeted, don’t tackle the offenders, please consider your own safety first – don’t be a hero!”
Anyone who recognises the man in the CCTV image is asked to contact police online via Live Chat, or by calling 101, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and quoting 20BE/271896J/20.
