Boy, 13, killed in Oldbury stabbing attack - MASHAHER

PA Images A group of police officers in black uniform and caps walk from the drive between two houses, with an officer in a white forensics suit, blue face mask and purple gloves stands at the front. The house is cordoned off by police tapes and an individual stands outside the cordon with a bunch of flowers, while a person in a blue coat kneels on the ground with their back to the camera. — A 13-year-old boy has died after being stabbed at a property in Oldbury

A 13-year-old boy has been stabbed to death at a house in the West Midlands.

A murder investigation has been launched after police were called to Lovett Avenue, Oldbury, at about 16:00 BST on Thursday.

A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: “The 13-year-old was treated by paramedics, however, despite their best efforts the boy sadly passed away.

“We have a team of detectives investigating exactly what happened during this tragic incident, and we’re following active lines of inquiry to identify who was involved.”

Tributes have been laid at the scene in Lovett Avenue, Oldbury

A police officer bends down and another person is knelt down, over a row of flowers laid outside a door. The house is cordoned off by police tape. — Tributes have been laid at the scene in Lovett Avenue, Oldbury

Det Supt Shaun Edwards said: “It’s absolutely tragic a young life has been lost.

“We have specialist officers who will be supporting the family of the boy.

“We have detectives working flat out to find whoever is responsible and bring them into custody as soon as possible.”

Police were called to the property by West Midlands Ambulance Service.

No arrests have yet been made after the fatal stabbing

Police tape around a house, with two police officers stood outside the front door — No arrests have yet been made after the fatal stabbing

People have laid bouquets of flowers outside the house. One woman collapsed in tears after she left her tribute.

A police cordon has been put in place and forensic officers have been seen at the back of the property.

Detectives have also been making door-to-door enquiries with neighbours in an effort to find out more about what happened.

Last year the West Midlands had the highest rate of knife offences in England and Wales, in many cases victims of stabbings have been teenagers.

Richard Goldingay says he is shocked at what has happened

A man wearing a black hooded top and a black bucket hat with glasses, pictured with houses and a street behind him — Richard Goldingay says he is shocked at what has happened

Richard Goldingay, 24, lives nearby and said the news made him feel concerned about his and his parents’ safety.

“The area is generally pretty rough. Oldbury is not really how it used to be, if that makes sense,” he told the BBC.

“When I came to the country in 2007 the area was generally nice. You don’t really get much reports or incidents as you have recently.

“It’s changed, it definitely has changed.”

He added: “It was quite shocking to hear [about it] and to see what was happening – the forensics team being out and police cars all over the road – it was quite scary to see.”

Darius Rayman, a youth worker for Sandwell Council, was at the scene on Friday morning.

“I think it’s really sad that somebody’s 13-year-old has passed away.”

“He hasn’t even lived up to his teenage years.”

He said he felt more needed to be done about knife crime by the government.

“Do we need to go back to the drawing board? How, and why, is this happening to young people in this area?”

A spokesperson for the ambulance service said: “Upon arrival we found a teenage boy with life threatening injuries.

“Ambulance staff administered advanced trauma care at the scene but unfortunately, despite their best efforts nothing more could be done to save him and he was confirmed deceased at the scene.”

Anyone with information has been asked to get in touch with police.

Source Agencies