Boy, 12, stabbed to death in Birmingham - as 14-year-old arrested on suspicion of murder

A 14-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder following a fatal stabbing in Birmingham.

Police were called to the incident near Scribers Lane in Hall Green at about 3.40pm on Tuesday to reports of a 12-year-old boy who had been stabbed in the stomach.

Paramedics treated him at the scene and the boy, who was found by a member of the public, was taken to hospital but died hours later at about 7.30pm.

The 14-year-old was arrested at 7pm on Tuesday at an address in Birmingham.

He remains in custody, chief superintendent Richard North, commander of Birmingham Local Policing Area, said as he gave an update on the case on Wednesday.

He said the same teenager was also arrested in connection with an assault on a woman in her 80s on Sunday, in what he called an "unrelated matter".

Mr North described the attack as an "absolutely appalling incident" and said detectives were "working round the clock" to get to the truth of what happened.

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The victim's family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

Police have called for anyone who may know something about the incident to come forward and assist with inquiries.

A Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP), where members of the public can submit photos or video evidence, has been set up and can be reached at mipp.police.uk, the force added.

A Birmingham school sent its "condolences and deepest sympathies" to the family and friends of one of its pupils.

Christ Church, Church of England Secondary Academy, in Yardley Wood, shared a statement on its website saying: "This is a very sad time for our school community and we are focusing on supporting our students, staff and families with professional support.

"As this is a live police investigation, we are unable to share any further details with you.

"At this difficult time, we would urge parents and carers not to contact the school office unless it is for an emergency."

It comes a day after Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said tougher measures would be introduced to tackle knife sales online after she revealed that Southport killer Axel Rudakubana was "easily able to order a knife on Amazon" when he was still aged 17 and had been convicted over violence.

She told MPs: "That's a total disgrace and it must change. So, we will bring in stronger measures to tackle knife sales online in the Crime and Policing Bill this spring."

The sale of knives with a fixed blade of more than three inches long to under-18s is illegal in England and Wales.

(c) Sky News 2025: Boy, 12, stabbed to death in Birmingham - as 14-year-old arrested on suspicion of murder