Watch: Dramatic moment underground metal theft suspect is arrested after climbing up through manhole in Birmingham

The video by West Midlands Police shows officers converging on a manhole cover on Great Charles Queensway in Birmingham and shouting a warning for the person underground to come up or the police dog would go down after them.

A man is then seen coming from underground in a high-visibility jacket and surrendering to the officers, where he was then arrested on suspicion of theft along with two men found in a van at the site.

The force confirmed that all three men remained in custody.

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "This is the moment we arrested a gang of suspected underground cable thieves in Birmingham city centre.

"Firearms officers who were patrolling nearby were flagged down by members of the public as a group of men were trying to steal cables on Great Charles Queensway at around 7.30pm yesterday.

"Two men were arrested on suspicion of theft and a van carrying cables was recovered.

"We were made aware of that a third suspect was underground, and officers, with the help of Police Dog Riot encouraged him to climb up the ladder and onto the street, where he was also arrested on suspicion of theft.

"Three men, aged 48, 45 and 37, remain in custody today."

Detective Superintendent Dave Sproson, of Birmingham Police, said: “This was a fantastic response from our firearms, dogs and Birmingham officers, in bringing three suspects into custody quickly.”