A schoolboy has been stabbed in the chest by masked teenagers wielding baseball bats.
The 15-year-old victim was near the Spar and Smith's Wood Academy in Birmingham, when he was set upon by the gang shortly before 9pm on Saturday (Sept 18).
Police said five teenagers, all wearing black balaclavas and armed with baseball bats, got out of a large black vehicle before the chase.
As they caught up with the victim, he was stabbed in the chest before the gang ran away from the scene.
The boy was taken to hospital for his injuries, which are not deemed life-changing or life-threatening.
West Midlands Police said it was 'thoroughly investigating' the incident and was supporting the young victim.
BirminghamLive reports that a statement from police read: "We are supporting a 15-year-old boy after he was stabbed during an attack on Burtons Way, Smith’s Wood at 8.50pm last night (18 September).
"It is understood five teenagers all wearing black balaclavas and armed with baseball bats got out of a large black vehicle and chased the 15-year-old boy before stabbing him in the chest and running off.
"He was taken to hospital but thankfully his injuries were not deemed life threatening or life changing."
Sergeant Lawrence Shannon, from Force CID, insisted that reducing violence among under 25s is a 'priority for the force' as he urged anyone with information to come forward.
He added: “We are thoroughly investigating this incident and will continue to support the 15-year-old boy.
“Reducing violence among under 25s is a priority for the force, which includes understanding the root causes of why children are being violent towards each other.
"Unfortunately knife crime is an issue which affects many communities across the West Midlands and we are working to tackle this violence.
“We would urge anyone who has information that could help our enquiries into the attack on Burtons Way to please get in touch with crime number 20/1240758/21.”
Sgt Shannon continued: "We are playing our part in tackling knife crime, from operational activity aimed at reducing the number of knives on our streets to educational inputs in schools.
"We cannot do it alone – we need help from the community and parents in tackling knife crime. During the holidays we're urging parents to speak to their children about the devastating impact of carrying knives.
"Our Life or Knife website provides guidance and help to anyone who can support us."
