Police in the Midlands have been baffled by an outbreak of surrealist muggings in the region.

In the latest incident, 38 year old swimming pool attendant Tracey Sponge was held up as she used a city centre cash machine.

"I had just collected my money when this youth jumped out, pointed a loaded chicken at me and told me he was an electric tree. Then he gave me fifty quid and ran off."

The West Midlands Silly Crimes Squad have drafted in extra officers to deal with these incidents. In particular they are looking into the case of three young men from Solihull who claim they were on their way to a local night-spot when they were robbed at knifepoint by the colour blue.