A 16-year-old boy is in hospital after a 'horrific' machete attack in Dudley, West Midlands Police have confirmed. The attack occurred on Saturday, just before 2pm, while the teenager was walking near Duncan Edwards Close.
According to police, two young men on a moped approached the boy before launching the assault. They fled the scene, leaving the victim with serious injuries to his chest and face. The teenager was taken to hospital, where he underwent surgery and remains in a serious but stable condition.
Police investigation and appeal
CCTV and mobile phone footage from the area have been recovered by officers, who are now appealing for witnesses to come forward. Detective Inspector Joe Davenport from West Midlands Police's major crime unit described the attack as 'horrific' and noted that it 'could easily have resulted in this boy losing his life'. He urged anyone with information to contact the force.
Information can be provided via the West Midlands Police website or by calling 101, quoting log 2561 of 23 May.
Context: recent machete violence
The attack comes amid heightened concern over knife crime involving young people. Earlier this month, two teenagers admitted murdering 14-year-old Kelyan Bokassa in a separate machete attack on a London bus. Kelyan was stabbed approximately 27 times while travelling on a route 472 bus in Woolwich on January 7. He suffered a severed femoral artery and died at the scene. The two 16-year-old boys charged with his murder pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey.
