Teenager stabbed as schoolboy gangs fight

?A 16-year-old was stabbed three times when two schoolboy gangs clashed near a main road in Wolverhampton. Witnesses said up to 50 teenagers were involved in the melee.

The boy was knifed on his way home from school when youth gangs fought near The Newbridge pub on Tettenhall Road.

Two 16-year-olds from Whitmore Reans were today being questioned by police.

Witnesses described seeing up to 50 teenagers getting off a bus and streaming down New Road, off Tettenhall Road, towards playing fields close to the pub.

The youths, some with ripped clothes, fled as police arrived at around 4.45pm.

The victim is believed to be from Low Hill and a pupil at The King's School in Regis Road, Tettenhall.

He was taken by ambulance to New Cross Hospital where his condition was today said to be stable.

It is understood the youths involved then decided to meet up after school.

Police spokeswoman Sarah Astbury said officers were today liaising with The King's School following the violence.

John Allin, principal of The King's School, said this afternoon: "We've been in touch with the young person's family and are delighted that he is making a good recovery. We've offered support to pupils who have been upset and are co-operating with the police."

Mr Allin said the violence was an "isolated incident that occurred outside school hours".

He added: "The school offers a supportive, welcoming and disciplined environment and where disputes arise, we aim to resolve them in a mature manner."