Boys aged 13 and 14 arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after Handsworth Park stabbing

[dutchman]

Victim, 16, knifed in attack and girl of 15 also hurt



Two boys - aged just 13 and 14 - have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a teenager was seriously injured following a stabbing.

A 16-year-old male was allegedly chased and kicked to the ground before he was knifed in the back in the York Road area of Handsworth Park , at around 6.40pm on Bank Holiday Monday.

The victim suffered a punctured lung and remains in hospital. A 15-year-old girl also suffered minor injuries in the incident.

The 13-year-old, from Handsworth, was arrested at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, where he appeared in connection with a fight in Birmingham city centre on August 24.

The older boy, also from Handsworth, was said to have handed himself in to police.

Police are still appealing for anyone with information about the incident to contact them.

Insp Greg Evans from West Midlands Police Force CID, said: “This was a very nasty incident and one that has left a teenage boy with injuries that will have life-long implications for him.

“We believe there was some kind of altercation between two groups of children which rapidly escalated and resulted in a stabbing.

“If anyone has any information about the attack or who may be responsible – or anyone who witnessed the attack at 6.40pm on Monday or people fleeing the park – I would appeal to them to get in touch.”

The stabbing took place just yards from a children’s play area and Handsworth Wellbeing Centre.

A large blue tarpaulin was set up near to a tree and over the footpath which was all cordoned off.

Handsworth Park is a popular open space home to a string of community events, including the Simmer Down festival, throughout the year.

[rebbonk]

Good God, what is wrong with the world?