WATCH: Machete gang punch and kick victim in horrifying daylight attack
A sickening video showing a machete gang brutally attacking a victim in the street has gone viral on social media.
The horrifying footage shows a man being shoved to the ground before he is repeatedly beaten, slashed and kicked by seven attackers less than a mile away from Villa Park in Birmingham.
A teenager was last week arrested on suspicion of violent disorder but was later bailed.
One of the gang uses a huge machete to strike the victim's head before another kicks him in the face, leaving him lying on the pavement.
WATCH the attack (warning - violent footage):
Credit: Alum Rock Community Forum
The gang continue to stamp on his head and body while cries of 'what motherf*****' and, 'p****' can be heard.
The attack happened in broad daylight opposite King Edward VI Aston School playing fields in Trinity Road, Aston.
It is believed to have taken place at around 4pm on November 2, hours before thousands of Villa fans flooded the area for a home game against Bolton Wanderers, although the incident is not believed to have been linked to the game.
The road was closed for two hours while a forensic team gathered evidence.
West Midlands Police said that two people suffered superficial knife injuries and were taken to hospital.
After shocking video of the incident went viral, police said a 19-year-old was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder on November 9. He was later bailed.
The footage was shared via the Alum Rock Community Forum Facebook group and went viral on Monday evening.
A teenager was last week arrested on suspicion of violent disorder but was later bailed.
Shocking
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson, who earlier this year backed the Express & Star’s campaign to remove deadly knives from shops on the region’s high streets, called the video footage shocking.
He added: “The mobile phone footage is as disturbing as it is clear.
“To see that amount of aggression on the streets of Birmingham is totally unacceptable. I have been in close contact with West Midlands Police over the incident and
"I am reassured that officers will not rest until the perpetrators are brought to justice.
“In December I announced I would invest £2 million to help tackle this kind of violence.
“On Saturday I learned that my bid to the Government for an additional £1.8m was successful and that money will also soon be spent to prevent further scenes like the one seen in this video.”
Earlier this year West Midlands Police said it had stepped up efforts to tackle knife crime.
But Chief Superintendent Mike O’Hara said the ‘complex problem’ could not be solved by police enforcement alone.
He said: “Many tragic knife crimes are entirely preventable and are often the
cause of young people making the wrong decision.
“My view is that it is our collective responsibility to help young people make the right decision – the decision not to carry a knife. It is not glamorous, it is not necessary for your own protection and there is a significant chance your knife could be used against you.
“That’s why we are working to deter young people from carrying knives with local councils, Youth Offending Services, local charities and also through our Precious Lives project working with schools.”
Anyone with information about a knife crime can call police on 101.