A police force yesterday launched an internet campaign against street crime and named 10 of its "most wanted" suspects.

In what is believed to be the first scheme of its kind in the country, West Midlands police will publish pictures and details on its website. Many of the 10 are suspects in armed robberies, assaults and other crimes involving weapons.

The scheme is part of Operation Safer Streets, which aims to crack down on street crime in and around Birmingham.

Among those pictured on the website is the convicted armed robber Vincent Michael Palmer, 34, who escaped during a trial at Birmingham crown court in March for conspiracy to rob a post office.

Another is William Patrick Dixon, 32, wanted in connection with a raid on a housing office in the city's Chelmsley Wood area, where £4,000 was taken at gunpoint.

The site shows photographs of suspects and gives details of aliases and a list of places they are thought to frequent.

The chief constable of West Midlands police, Edward Crew, who will today also launch a publicity campaign to raise awareness of the problem of street crime, said the website showed how seriously officers were taking the issue.

"This is not a flash in the pan," said Mr Crew. "Our safer streets campaign is being expanded forcewide and without time limit. We are determined to work with the public and other agencies to help people stop becoming victims."

He said that the operation, launched two months ago, had contributed towards a 15% reduction in street crime in the city.

The expansion was being carried out with the help of £3.3m in additional government funding and would include improving officers' methods of dealing with reports of crime.

Mr Crew added: "Street robbery is a very serious crime and one we are committed to tackling. We are trying to tackle as many parts of this issue as possible and we will encourage courts to take a stiff line with offenders."