Birmingham safer thanks to 'The Statesman'

A man in Birmingham has decided to follow in the footsteps of comic superheroes Batman and Spider-Man by donning a mask and a fancy costume to fight crime at night.

By day, the yet-to-be indentified man is a banker and by night he transforms into 'The Statesman', complete with Union Flag T-shirt and a black Zorro-style mask that is meant to hide his true identity.

According to the Daily Mail, the man who has distinctive facial hair claims even his girlfriend does not know about his services to society four nights a week as he normally says he is out playing poker.

Having previously been a soldier in the Territorial Army, his experience coupled with skills as a trained pugilist and tools including a first aid kit, a torch to startle burglars and a notepad help to keep Birmingham safe at night.

Last month it was revealed that a suburb in Seattle is under protection from its very own masked crusader known as Phoenix Jones.