Police say Wednesbury park where teen stabbed is 'safe place'

The 15-year-old boy was taken to hospital after the attack at around 8pm on Monday in Brunswick Park, on Brunswick Road.

Now Sergeant Giles Dean has reassured residents that Brunswick Park has low crime levels.

He said via West Midlands Police's online alert system WMNow: "This incident has rightly shocked the Wednesbury community because it is an unusual occurrence in our area."

Sgt Dean said there is roughly one crime per month reported at the park.

He added: "In short, Brunswick Park is still a safe place to go, with low crime levels. I would not want people to feel unable to enjoy the facilities that are there.

"A park or open space is at its safest when there are lots of people present so it is important that our local community feel confident to use the park.

"During the school holidays we always increase our patrols around parks and open spaces and this year has been no exception.

"Unfortunately we can't be everywhere all the time but we can be anywhere at any time."

Parents

He asked parents to speak to their children about knife crime.

He added: "We have been working with schools recently taking in the knife arch, searching and raising awareness around knife crime with our young people.

"If you are a parent please take the time to speak to your children about knife crime and reinforce the message that it is not worth carrying a knife.

"Too many lives have been lost and too many lives have been ruined by knife crime.

"It has recently been compared to a disease and certainly in this case prevention is better than cure which is why we want to work with young people, schools and parents to deter any child who thinks it may be a good idea to carry a knife."

Anyone with information has been asked to get in touch via live chat between 8am and midnight, quoting log 2270 of April 22.