Walsall stabbing: Teenage victim 'followed from Dixy Chicken shop' after buying food

The 18-year-old was knifed after being tailed by a gang who spotted him leaving a Dixy Chicken fast food restaurant in Pleck at around 8pm on Saturday.

The attack came after a murder and two other stabbings in the Dudley borough, as well as a stabbing on a bus in West Bromwich.

The latest victim was followed along Wednesbury Road, Pleck into Ford Street where the group pounced. Their motive is unclear.

Mohammed Asif who runs Pleck News and General Stores close to the scene, said: "We are all very concerned. This is not good for the area.

"It scares people and makes them frightened to go out. Families who were happy to send children as young as six or seven to buy milk and bread will think twice.

"It is not even safe for an 18-year-old to walk along these roads let alone small children.

"I have been here for 11 years and this is the first stabbing in the area. When you add it to the recent attacks in Dudley you can understand why people are so worried."

Walsall councillor Khizar Hussain, who represents Pleck, said: "This is very disturbing. Tougher penalties brought in recently to stop knife crime do not seem to be working. This senseless violence has got to stop but I do not know what more can be done."

Jamal Gul, aged 17, had just served the victim. He continued: "I only know him from when he pops into the shop but he is a really nice lad."

Detectives hunting those involved in the attack are trawling through CCTV taken from cameras in the area as they search for clues to the identity of those involved.

Det Sgt Adam Keen, said: "We are in the early stages of our investigation and I am urging anyone who witnessed this to come forward. We believe the teenager was approached by approximately four men and then followed."

The victim's injuries were described as non life threatening. Contact West Midlands Police on 101. Or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.