A VIOLENT criminal said to frequent the Rubery area is among villains named and shamed in a rogues' gallery of wanted suspects put out by police on the Internet this week.

West Midlands detectives have issued the names and photographs of ten dangerous fugitives they are hunting in connection with violent street robberies.

The force is the first in the country to name its most wanted criminals on the Net.

The man officers say has been spotted around Rubery is Gareth Christopher Price, aged 21.

It is alleged Price threatened a man at knifepoint last September in Kings Norton, forcing him to withdraw money from a cashpoint before making off with the cash. His other haunts are said to be Bournville and Kings Norton.

The information is published on the force's official website as part of their ongoing Operation Safer Streets campaign to crack down on the rising numbers of street robberies.

It will be followed by posters and advertising on radio.

Force spokesman, chief inspector Paul Diehl, said on no account should the public approach or attempt to apprehend Price or any of the other wanted men.

He said the campaign will in effect give police an extra two and a half million pair of eyes in their bid to track down the men.

On Monday he said the public's response had been very good.

Anyone with information should call their local police station or the Crimestoppers number 0800 555111.