Man arrested after spike of violent robberies targeting women in Manchester city centre

A man has been detained after a series of violent robberies on women in Manchester city centre.

Between around midnight and 6am on Sunday (13 March) several incidents were reported by women at various locations across the city centre.

During one robbery, a female member of staff was said to have suffered a hand injury.

READ MOREPiccadilly Gardens turned into crime scene after man left with stab wounds

The first robbery is understood to have happened on Portland Street where staff were threatened and cash was taken, police said.

Three further robberies were reported at businesses on Dale Street, Piccadilly, where two women received 'minor' injuries, and on Dickinson Street.

Following CCTV enquiries, a 61-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of four counts of robbery and assault.

He remains in custody waiting to be questioned.

The victims were said to be left 'shaken' but nobody was seriously injured.

Detectives from GMP have pledged to take 'strong action' against anyone who poses a threat to women and girls in the city.

DI Peter Morley, from the City of Manchester division, said: "These reported robberies were on women who were either staff or shopping and thankfully, no one was seriously injured but they have all been left understandably shaken.

"Local officers have been following up various lines of enquiry and exhausting CCTV opportunities and have since arrested a man.

"We will continue to take action to reduce the number of robberies across the region, especially in the city centre where we have regular patrols as part of Operation Valiant - our anti-robbery operation.

"Not only this, but we want to make sure that women and girls feel safe in public spaces and GMP recently announced its strategy to tackle