Two held over Alum Rock machete attack

Oct 15 2008 By Mark Cowan

TWO teenagers have been arrested after an attack on a youngster who was hunted down “like an animal” by a machete-wielding gang in a Birmingham street.

The fleeing 16-year-old was repeatedly slashed after being chased by a ten-strong mob in Alum Rock Road, Alum Rock, in a broad daylight attack on Saturday.

Two 15-year-old boys were yesterday arrested in connection with the incident.

A West Midlands Police spokesman said the youths were today still in custody “helping officers with their inquiries”.

Eyewitnesses saw the boy being chased from Woodwell Road by a gang of at least 10 youths in their late teens.

They were hitting him indiscriminately as he pleaded for mercy. It was only when shopworkers, neighbours and passers-by closed in on the gang that they ran off in the direction of the nearby park.

The police spokesman said: “A 16-year-old boy was found with stab wounds on Alum Rock Road near to Woodwells Road at around 5.20pm on Saturday.

“Police have arrested two local youths in connection with the incident and they are helping with police enquiries,” he said.

“The boy remains in a stable condition in hospital.”

Police are still appealing for witnesses who were in the Alum Rock Road, Woodwells Road or Monk Road area at around 5.15pm on Saturday.

They have been urged to telephone CID, based at Queens Road police station, on 0845 113 5000.