Police message to Birmingham parents at school closing time as Hall Green murder suspect held

Birmingham's chief police commander has issued a direct message to city parents fearful over their child's safety after a 12-year-old boy was fatally stabbed. A major murder investigation has been launched after the 12-year-old boy was fatally stabbed in Scribers Lane, Hall Green, at around 3pm yesterday, Tuesday, January 21.

Despite the best efforts of members of the public and emergency services, the city youngster died in hospital. A 14-year-old boy was arrested at 7pm on suspicion of murder and was also in custody over an unrelated, serious attack on a pensioner on January 19.

The victim was a pupil at Christ Church C of E Secondary Academy, who said today it was "supporting students, staff and families" following the tragedy. Bur there was concern from the community about the safety of children walking home, 24 hours after the attack.

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Asked what assurances he could give worried parents, Chief Supt Richard North said: “It’s obviously a very disturbing incident and absolutely traumatic for the community - obviously I really do understand concerns.

"It is a positive that we have made an arrest. Obviously it is very early stages in the enquiry and as we go forward hopefully we will be able to release more information and get to the truth of where we are with this. Hopefully that will reassure the community even further but [the arrest] is a positive step.

"There will be more officers in the general area on general patrol offering that reassurance while we work through the early stages of that enquiry."

Answering media questions near a passageway beneath a railway bridge leading to the country park where the boy was stabbed, Mr North described the 14-year-old in custody as “a key line of inquiry” and his arrest as “significant”.

Members of the public have been urged to get in touch with West Midlands Police with any information, including CCTV and eye-witness accounts as their murder investigation gathers pace. BirminghamLive has been at the scene today in Hall Green.

For the latest from residents, city leaders, politicians and the police, read our rolling updates here.