Schoolboy stabbed to death in Hall Green 'one of the nicest kids you could meet'

A Birmingham schoolboy stabbed to death on a ten-minute walk home was described by a relative as “the most beautiful, kind child” and “the nicest kid you would meet”. The family member told the BBC the 12-year-old was “funny, sweet and had not one aggressive bone in his body”, and had been walking a ten-minute route home.

It happened off Scribers Lane in Hall Green just after 3pm yesterday afternoon, Tuesday, January 21. A boy aged just 14 was later arrested on suspicion of murder. Some areas of the park where the attack happened, close to Trittiford Mill pool, had been plagued in the past by anti-social behaviour involving local youths, some riding quad bikes, one resident claimed.

“It’s been a weekly occurrence,” the woman said. “It’s a short-cut for school children before and after school, but sometimes there are people just hanging around near a car.”

READ MORE: Birmingham murder probe live after boy, 12, stabbed to death in Hall Green

It was understood the schoolboy attended Christ Church Secondary Academy in Yardley Wood. The Daleview Road school, which remained open today, told BirminghamLive it would issue a statement in due course.

Flowers were left at the scene in Scribers Lane and tributes have poured in online. Alan Richardson said the victim was "one of the nicest kids". He said: "RIP young brother. He went to the same school, in the same year as my son, but walked a slightly different direction. He was one of the nicest kids you could meet, my kids said."

BirminghamLive reader Rachel Wardell wrote on Facebook: "This is shocking and absolutely devastating. Can’t imagine what his family are going through and the whole community."

Timothy Huxtable, councillor for Hall Green, said he was "horrified" by the tragedy. Speaking soon after the boy was stabbed, Mr Huxtable said: "I have alerted police to the presence of a CCTV camera along Scribers Lane, which the council re-installed by the ford on December 20 last year - just in case it has captured images useful to the police."

A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: "A boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder following a fatal stabbing in Birmingham. The boy, 14, was arrested after a 12-year-old boy was found with serious injuries near Scribers Lane, Hall Green, shortly after 3pm.

"The 12-year-old was taken to hospital, but sadly died as a result of his injuries. His family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

"We are continuing to appeal for any information which could help in our investigation. We have set up our Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) where members of the public can submit photos or video evidence."

Visit WMP Intranet - Home (mipp.police.uk) to access the MIPP or use the QR code found here to submit evidence.

Anyone with information should contact police by calling 101, quoting log 3324 of January 21. Information can also be passed on anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.