"Masked gang threaten learner driver and instructor in knifepoint carjacking"

[dutchman]

Two teenagers aged 13 and 16 were also injured in incidents thought to be connected



Police are hunting for a knife-wielding masked gang who were behind a series of frightening crimes across the north of the city.

Yesterday (28 June) the gang assaulted a 13-year-old in Wood End, breaking the victim's shoulder and wrist, before fleeing in a stolen car only to crash nearby, colliding with and injuring a 16-year-old pedestrian.

They then threatened a driving instructor, who was giving a lesson to a learner, with a knife, demanding they hand over the car.

Both instructor and learner received minor injuries in the incident.

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "We are investigating a series of incidents around the Wood End area of Coventry at 4.30pm yesterday (28 June).

"A 13-year-old suffered a fractured shoulder and wrist and remains in hospital after being attacked by a group of men outside the Moat Leisure Centre on Winston Avenue.

"The men fled in a stolen black Ford Fiesta and crashed on Hilmorton Road, colliding with a 16-year-old boy on the pavement. The boy sustained minor injuries. The men then left the scene in a different car that they carjacked at the location, a silver Ford Fiesta.

"The silver Ford Fiesta was being driven by a 20-year-old learner driver who was having a driving lesson with a professional instructor when the men demanded they get out of the car while brandishing a knife. The stolen silver Fiesta was crashed on Lythalls Lane and the men ran off. Both the instructor and learner had minor injuries.

"It is believed there were between four to six male suspects, all described as black and wearing dark clothing with hoods up and Covid masks covering their faces.

"We’re keen to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time. Please contact us via Live Chat, or by calling 101, and quote 20/206939/21."