Shropshire Star

Boy, 16, fighting for life after Shrewsbury attempted murder

A 16-year-old boy is fighting for his life after he was stabbed in a residential area of Shrewsbury. Police have launched an attempted murder investigation and cordoned off the area.

Published

The attack happened at around 9.45pm last night in Wayford Close, Meole Brace.

DCI Paul Moxley said this afternoon: "This incident is understandably concerning and we are working to ascertain the exact circumstances of what happened and apprehend those responsible as quickly as possible. We are following a number of lines of enquiry and are doing everything we can to ensure those responsible are located.

"I would like to take this opportunity to reassure the local community that this is thought to be a targeted attack and we have no reason to believe there is any wider threat to the community.

Scene of stabbing on Wayford Close
Residential street blocked off from Hereford Road
Police patrolling the area of Meole Brace

"We are working to trace a number of men who were seen running away from the scene moments after the incident, including one who was seen wearing a green T-shirt.

"Anyone who may have seen this group of men or heard or seen any type of disturbance in the Wayford Close or Stapleton Road area of Meole Brace between 9pm and 10pm yesterday evening is asked to contact police."

Speaking about the victim, DCI Moxley, added: "He had suffered a single stab wound to the chest and was taken to hospital where he remains in a critical condition having undergone surgery.

"He was a 16-year-old male, who we do not believe is local to the area.

"We believe that three to four other males were seen by residents running away from the scene.

"We will be able to reopen the road within the next couple of hours.

"We believe this was a targeted attack, we do not know why and do not know where he was stabbed. He could have been in another part of the estate and made his way to Wayford Close.

"There is no suggestion of drugs, and at this stage there are several lines of enquiry."

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the local community for their assistance and patience throughout the early stages of this investigation. Local officers will remain in the Meole Brace area conducting additional patrols until further notice."

Anyone with any further information is asked to call the non-emergency number 101 and quote the incident reference 775s of August 1. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org

No arrests have been made.

Two ambulances attended the scene together with the Midlands Air Ambulance Crew from Cosford in a rapid response vehicle.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: "Crews arrived to find a man who had suffered multiple injuries in the incident.

"After receiving trauma care at the scene the man was transported to hospital with treatment continuing en-route.

"Unfortunately, his condition is thought to be serious."

Shrewsbury Police have said there are extra officers on duty today in the Meole Brace area to offer reassurances following the attack.

Residents along the road said they were shocked to hear the news, with many not aware of the incident until this morning.

One woman who lives in Stapleton Road said: "I saw a blue light going past last night, and someone told me there was a stabbing.

"It is really bad, but we don't really know what has happened yet."

Another, who did not want to be named, said: "I have been told someone had been stabbed twice. He had to be given lots of blood.

"There is a tent up on Wayford Close at the moment, that is where the incident happened. It is all very shocking."

Our reporter Rebecca King was on the scene this morning:

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