Bloxwich residents worried after teenager becomes latest Black Country stab victim

The latest incident saw a 16-year-old left in a serious condition after being stabbed on Fishley Lane in Bloxwich at around 6.30pm on Thursday, just a day after a man was found stabbed to death in a flat in Digbeth, Birmingham.

Other incidents have included a man being stabbed in the groin during a fight in Bilston on Monday, a boy suffering stab wounds after an attack on Malthouse Drive in Dudley on January 31 and a girl being attacked in Shenley Fields on February 1.

Section 60 orders, allowing officers to stop and search people in a designated area, have also been enforced in other parts of Walsall after a series of stabbings and shootings. So far more than 60 people have been searched, but no arrests have been made as a result of the searches.

The incident on Fishley Lane saw weapons brandished and two cars ramming into each other, with a 17-year-old detained from a vehicle in Bell Lane, Bloxwich, a short time later and a knife recovered.

He was also arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and theft of a motor vehicle and remains in custody for questioning.

The roads around Fishley Lane were cordoned off by West Midlands Police, and were still closed to traffic the morning after the attack.

It has left residents on the surrounding streets in shock, with many describing the area as "quiet", and saying they don't usually have any trouble.

One resident, who didn't want to be named, said: "This is normally such a quiet area and we don't get a lot of trouble around here, apart from maybe a few cars speeding.

"It's a bit disconcerting to hear about something like this and I hope the boy's ok."

Another resident, who didn't want to be named, said they had seen blue lights flashing through their window, but were still stunned to find out what had happened.

She said: "I was sitting and watching TV when I saw the lights, but didn't think much of it until this morning when I saw the police cordon and found out what had happened.

"We don't get any trouble around here, apart from some kids hanging outside the Costcutter, so I can't believe someone would get stabbed on the streets near me."

A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service: "We were called to reports of a stabbing on Fishley Lane at 6.01pm.

"Two ambulances, two paramedic officers and the West Midlands Care Team were sent to the scene. On arrival we discovered a teenage male who had suffered serious injuries in the incident.

"Ambulance staff provided specialist trauma care at the scene before transferring the patient to hospital. On arrival at the hospital, the patient’s condition was described as serious."

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "We've arrested a teenager on suspicion of wounding after another boy was found with stab injuries in Fishley Lane, Bloxwich, at around 6pm yesterday (10 February).

"We were called to reports of disorder where weapons were brandished and two cars were ramming into each other.

"We discovered a 16-year-old boy who was hurt and he was taken to hospital with injuries which are not believed to be life threatening.

"A 17-year-old boy was detained from a vehicle in Bell Lane, Bloxwich, a short time later and a knife was recovered.

"He was also arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and theft of a motor vehicle and remains in custody for questioning.

"Anyone with information can contact us via Live Chat on our website and quote log 3485 of 10/02/22."