Teen left with spinal injuries as car drives into crowd at West Brom social club

The woman, aged 18, was outside Oakdale Social Club, on Oak Lane, at around 11.15pm when the Astra deliberately mounted the kerb and drove at people gathered outside the licenced premises.

She has since been allowed home to recover, while police are stepping up the search for those responsible for the attack on February 20.

Police believe the car contained three or four Asian men who had been involved in an earlier disturbance outside the club.

The Astra then pulled away from the car park but turned around moments later and was driven into the crowd of people still gathered on the roadside.

The teenager was rushed to hospital with suspected spinal fractures but thankfully her injuries were not as severe as first feared and following treatment she was allowed home to further her recovery.

DC Luke Stephens, from Force CID in Smethwick, is leading the inquiry. He said: "Exactly what led to such a dangerous and violent act is not clear, but we do know that the men used a dark blue Vauxhall Astra to drive at the group outside the club.

"Their actions could have left people with much more serious, if not fatal, injuries and it is only good fortune that prevented the young woman from being badly hurt.

"The car would undoubtedly have been left with front end damage and we want to hear from anyone who saw it leaving the scene or in the area after that night.

"Make no mistake, this was a serious incident and we need to find those people involved.

"We urge anyone who was at Oakdale Social Club that night and who may be able to help our inquiry to call us as soon as possible."

DC Stephens, and the Sandwell violent crime team, of Force CID can be contacted by dialling 101 or speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.