Teen hurt in 'terrifying' fight in Walsall involving 50 people with weapons
A teenager was taken to hospital after 50 people with weapons descended on a Walsall street before a fire was later discovered at a cannabis factory.
The 17-year-old boy suffered facial injuries after the group arrived in Lewis Street just after midnight on Sunday, some armed with bats and machetes and a number of houses and cars were damaged, police said.
The victim was taken to hospital where he remains in a stable condition.
Five people aged between 17 and 35 have been arrested and they were still in custody as of yesterday evening.
Later the same day at around 9pm, officers were called to reports of a fire at a house in Mary Street and a cannabis factory was discovered inside.
No-one was injured in the fire and West Midlands Police is now investigating the circumstances of the fire and the cannabis factory.
Superintendent Clare Caddick from Walsall Police said the attacks were a result of "ongoing issues" between some people in the community.
Fear
She said: “We believe there are some ongoing issues between some people within the community and that these have been going on for some time.
“While these attacks are believed to be targeted amongst these groups of people, it’s clearly terrifying for everyone in the area.
“There is no place for violence like this on our streets and our communities should not be feeling intimidated or living in fear.
“I’d urge anyone with information about what happened, who hasn’t yet spoken to us to do so. We can treat your information confidentially if you’d prefer.
“We will make sure that any appropriate support is put in place for people living in the street and will be working closely with partners over the coming weeks to make sure people are safeguarded and feel reassured.
“We’re committed to understanding these issues and reducing violence in Walsall, but we need your help too, if you have information please get in touch.
"You can contact us via Live Chat on our website or call us on 101. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers, tell them what you know, not who you are."
Claire Brown, spokeswoman for West Midlands Ambulance Service, said: "We were called by the police to reports of a property fire in Mary Street at 9.17pm on Sunday.
"Two ambulances, two paramedic officers and HART paramedics were sent to the scene but were later stood down as there were no patients."
