A major commuter network used daily by thousands of shoppers and workers was today named as the city's top blackspot for traffic jam bandits. The lightening quick carjammers struck more than 250 times last winter - mainly targeting single women - as motorists crawled home in rush-hour queues. Police are so concerned about the problem that a dedicated operation, code-named Redwatch, has now been launched to put the brakes on offenders and warn drivers. The snatch thieves have been stealing from cars stuck in jams on Pershore Road, Lea Bank Middleway, Belgrave Middleway, Bristol Street, Bristol Road, Haden Way and Wheeley's Road. The map above shows the hot-spot junctions for carjamming. Insp Sarah Booth, of Belgrave Road police, warned drivers that offenders were more likely to strike once clocks were turned back at the weekend. Now officers from Belgrave Road, Rose Road and Steelhouse Lane police stations are to target the main routes out of the city from the south and east. "It's easy for someone to lean over through the window or to simply open a car door and steal valuables," said Insp Booth. "It is important we inform drivers to be careful and follow some simple personal safety tips which can virtually eliminate the risk. According to police research, 80 per cent of victims were lone women and in seven out of ten cases they snatched a bag from the front seat, foot-well or boot. The most popular time for offenders was after 3pm, reaching a peak by 6pm, from when the school run begins to the time city centre workers head home. During the afternoon rush hour, officers will distribute posters and thousands of crime reduction leaflets giving drivers advice about how to avoid becoming a victim. Insp Booth said drivers needed to keep car doors locked and valuables such as handbags and laptops out of sight, under a seat, or in a glove compartment. "We take this crime very seriously and offenders will suffer the consequences, but we also need the public's help to stop these crimes," she said. | 
