Police hunt masked thugs who slashed teen with machete outside school

Shocking surveillance footage shows the moment a teenager was attacked with a machete outside a school.

The 15-year-old boy was set upon by a gang armed with weapons outside Central Academy in Birmingham city centre at 3.10pm on Wednesday.

Chilling footage shows one attacker hacking at the teen, who is wearing his school bag, as he gets up from the ground and tries to escape.

Two other people can be seen brandishing large blades as the victim runs away from the scene on busy Newhall Street, which is lined with pubs, restaurants and offices.

The boy was later treated in hospital for injuries that were not serious.

West Midlands Police have released the CCTV footage in a bid to track down the offenders.

A 15-year-old boy has already been arrested on suspicion of assault and remains in police custody being interviewed by officers.

Sergeant Asaf Khan, from force CID, said: “Although the arrest is great progress, I am asking for anyone who recognises the people in this CCTV to speak to us.

“We need to trace the boys who think it’s acceptable to walk around with a knife and attack a schoolboy.

“I am also interested in hearing from witnesses who saw what happened and that have not yet spoken to us, as well as those with mobile phone or dashcam footage."

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A West Midlands Ambulance Services spokesperson added: "We were called by the police at 3:29pm to an assault on Newhall Street in Birmingham.

"We sent one ambulance and the West Midlands Care Team to the scene. We treated one patient, a teenage male, for injuries not believed to be serious.

"He was taken to hospital for further treatment.”