A teenager has been arrested following a spate of 'polite' knife-point robberies in Old Trafford.
Over the past week, police have been called to four incidents at Trafford Bar tram stop, as well as a fifth on nearby Great Stone Road.
Three were robberies and the other two attempted robberies.
According to officers, the thief - described as black - is always 'strangely polite' to the victim.
He tells them he doesn't want to hurt them, but that he has a knife and needs them to hand over money.
The robber then encourages the victim to go to a cash point while he hides in a nearby phone box before taking the cash and running off.
On several occasions the suspect is said to have also been with a white male.
If the victim is with other people, he stands with them and watches them while the victim withdraws the money.
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The first incident is reported to have happened on September 26 at 11.30am, but the victim managed to escape.
Thirty minutes later another person was targeted on Great Stone Road.
The next two happened again at Trafford Bar on September 27 and 29 - both at around 5pm, with the most recent taking place at 6.30pm on October 1.
Police say the last report was an attempted robbery as the victim managed to run off.
On Wednesday, a 17-year-old boy was arrested in connected with the incidents.
PC Andrew Walsh, from GMP Trafford, says the arrest was the result of good team work between Trafford Council's CCTV officers and response officers.
He explained the operator was aware of the trend of robberies and identified a suspect following the most recent incident.
The teenager has since been released under investigation.
Anyone with information relating to any of the incidents is asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
