Man slashed in machete robbery attempt beside New Street station

A man was slashed across the hand when a robber pulled out a machete and demanded his phone in a walkway beside Birmingham New Street station.

British Transport Police said the victim was sitting in the New Street walkway between Moor Street Link and Stephenson Street at around 9.20pm on Tuesday 6 October when another man approached him.

"Another man approached him, pulling out a machete and demanding he hand over his phone," a spokesperson said. "The victim pulled up his arm to defend himself before fleeing, suffering a slash wound to the back of his hand which required treatment in hospital."

The attacker left the area shortly afterwards. No arrests have been made.

Appeal for witnesses

Detectives are urgently appealing for anyone who saw what happened to come forward, including other people who were in the underpass at the time.

Anyone with information can contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 745 of 6 October. Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Other appeals this week

Police have also released images of people they want to trace in two other investigations.

The first follows a sexual assault on Snow Hill Queensway in the city centre at around 12.50pm on Saturday 25 July. Officers say they have identified a man they want to speak to and have released his image. Anyone who recognises him, or has other information, is asked to use Live Chat on the police website or call 101, quoting crime reference 20/338411/26.

The second follows an attack on a man at an address in Onslow Road, Tyseley, in June. He was assaulted by a group and suffered a broken arm and broken ribs, and items were stolen from him. Two people have been charged and remanded in custody to await trial.

Officers now want to speak to a man pictured in a distinctive jacket with a bright orange front and grey and black sleeves. Anyone who recognises him is asked to call 101, quoting crime number 20/291893/26.

Who polices the stations?

British Transport Police is the national force for the railways. It is responsible for crime on trains and at stations, including New Street, Moor Street and Snow Hill, and works alongside the local police force on the streets around them.

Passengers can report crime or concerns discreetly at any time by texting 61016, which goes straight to the force's control room. In an emergency, call 999.

Staying safe around the stations

New Street is the busiest station outside London, and the walkways around it are used by thousands of people every evening. Police say violent incidents like this one are rare, but advise travellers to keep phones and valuables out of sight, to stay in well-lit areas where other people are around, and to move away and call for help if they feel threatened.

Anyone who is approached by someone with a weapon is advised not to resist, but to hand over what is demanded, get to safety and call 999 as soon as possible.