By Becky Procter

A HIGH-profile police operation targeting known criminals has led to the arrest of a man wanted for an armed robbery.

On Monday, 30 officers began a third six-day operation using an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) van on the side of the A441 near Hopwood Services.

The number plate of every car which passes the van is fed through a police computer database, which highlights whether or not the owner is wanted for criminal offences.

Operations have already been carried out on the A435 near Wythall and Frankly as part of Operation Nova.

Sgt Gary Watson said: "The Operation has been a great success with a reduction of 50 per cent of burglaries in the two areas of Wythall and Rubery.

"We have also stopped a number of people for a variety of offences, including a man wanted by the police for armed robbery, theft and disqualified driving.

"On one occasion an offender drove at a motorcycle officer and then sped off.

"After a short pursuit, the car was abandoned and a large quantity of stolen property from a burglary earlier that day was recovered."

Operation Nova will continue over the next few weeks and more high-profile operations are being planned.

Sgt Watson added: "We want to send a clear message to criminals that operate both in North Worcestershire and the West Midlands that their actions will not be tolerated."