A 17-year-old is in hospital after being shot near to West Bromwich Albion Football Club.

Officers were called to Raleigh Close, just over the border from West Bromwich in Handsworth, yesterday to reports of shots fired.

The teenager was taken to hospital with gunshot wounds where he remains in a stable condition.

A cordon was today in place on Camp Lane, opposite Raleigh Close and into part of Handsworth Cemetery, where it is believed a gun may have been discarded. A search of the area will take place later today. The small cul-de-sac is known for its links with the notorious Burger Bar Boys and was formerly home of the Raleigh Close Crew.

However, criminal activity has decreased since the evictions of gang members.

Raleigh Close has been the scene of at least two previous shootings, including one on May 2 this year in which another 17-year-old man was injured. In August 2006, a number of shots were believed to have been fired from a Ford Focus speeding through the area. There were no reports of anyone being injured.

And a 35-year-old man was also targeted by a gunman in the cul-de-sac in October 2005, suffering wounds to his buttocks.

Police inquiries into the latest shooting are ongoing.

Anyone with information about the incident at 1pm yesterday is asked to contact officers at Thornhill Road police station, ring 0845 113 5000 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.