Thirteen children have been arrested after an 11-year-old schoolboy suffered serious injuries in an “appalling” attack on a train.
The victim was targeted as he travelled to Newcastle city centre on the Metro system at around 8.20pm on 9 March.
Members of the public came to his aid to assaulted, said Northumbria Police.
The boy was taken to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. He has since been discharged home.
“This was an appalling incident that has understandably caused a lot of public concern and anger,” said Detective Inspector Laura Stabler.
“This assault was completely unacceptable and there is no place for this level of violence on the Metro, or in society at all.
“We have been supporting the victim and his family while carrying out extensive enquiries to identify all of those involved.”
Northumbria Police said they have so far arrested 13 children aged between 11 and 16 during the investigation.
They were all interviewed in the presence of an appropriate adult about the assault before being released on bail with restrictions preventing them from using the Metro while the inquiry continues.
“We hope these arrests offer some reassurance to those who were concerned about this assault,” said DI Stabler.
“We still want any witnesses who may have seen the assault, or seen the group responsible immediately before or after, to contact police immediately.”
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
