Officers are appealing for witnesses after a 16-year-old boy was attacked on his way home in Oldbury last week.

The teenager, who has autism, was walking down Brookfields Road just after midnight on Wednesday 5th October when he was approached by a group of men in a black Vauxhall Corsa. It’s believed the car was a 2005/2006 model with tinted windows.

The group asked him if he wanted drugs and when he said no, the men, all described as of Asian appearance, got out of the car.

He attempted to run off but ended up falling over a short distance away. He was assaulted, punched and kicked several times before being stabbed twice in the back. Detective Constable Cal Sanders, from West Bromwich police station, said:

“This is a shocking and unprovoked assault on a vulnerable boy and we are providing support to him and his family. One of the stab wounds was to the lower centre of his back which if deeper could have severed his spine resulting in devastating consequences.

“I’m looking for anyone who witnessed this incident, recognises the vehicle or has any information to contact police at the earliest possible opportunity.”

If you have any information then please contact DC Cal Sanders by emailing Sanders_7044@west-midlands.pnn.police.uk