Man shot dead near Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter

The victim, 34, was gunned down on Great Hampton Row in the Hockley area of the city at around 9.30pm.

Armed police raced to the scene after officers were alerted by paramedics.

The man, who has not yet been named by police, died in hospital.

Det Insp Harry Harrison, from force CID, said: "This is a shocking and cold blooded killing which has cost a man his life, we are working non-stop to find those responsible.

"A stretch of the road remains cordoned off as we search for clues in this fast-paced investigation."

Police are preparing to trawled through hours of CCTV footage from the area, and witnesses have already been spoken to.

Det Insp Harrison added: "If there's anyone who was in the area at the time and who hasn't yet spoken to us, they need to get in touch now. Your call could make a huge difference."

Call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Birmingham and the Black Country have been hit by a spate of murders in recent weeks, with the Chief Constable Dave Thompson uring parents to talk to their children about the dangers of gangs.

In August, the Express & Star reported how there had been five murder probes launched in the space of just a few days, including the killing of Ryan Passey at Chicago's in Stourbridge.