Boy, 13, stabbed to death inside his own home

A 13-year-old boy was stabbed to death inside his home, police have said.

Police were called to an address in Oldbury, on the outskirts of Birmingham at about 4pm on Thursday.

The boy, who lived at the property, died at the scene despite the best efforts of paramedics.

In a press conference on Friday afternoon, Chief Supt Kim Madill, of West Midlands Police, described the killing as a “sad and tragic incident”.

A semi-detached house in Lovett Avenue was cordoned off by police on Friday, with officers standing guard outside.

It is understood that a mother lives at the property with her five children. Locals said the family had been there for about a decade and two of the children were 13-year-old twin boys.

Forensics officers were at the scene throughout the day and a crime scene tent was erected in the back garden.

Family members and friends left floral tributes outside the house, with several bouquets propped up against the front door.

A neighbour, whose son was friends with the boy who was killed, said: “This is a terrible and shocking thing to happen on our doorsteps and it has rocked the whole community.”

The woman, who declined to be named, added: “My son is sobbing his heart out for the loss of his friend. They went to the same school together. He was an amazing kid.”

Last year the West Midlands had the highest rate of knife offences in England and Wales. In many cases victims of stabbings have been teenagers.

Darius Rayman, a youth worker for Sandwell Council, was at the scene on Friday and said more needed to be done about knife crime by the Government.

He said: “Do we need to go back to the drawing board? How, and why, is this happening to young people in this area?”

Caroline Reid, a Dudley councillor who lives in the area, said the situation was “heartbreaking” and she felt compelled to bring flowers to the scene.

Ms Reid said the level of knife crime in the West Midlands was “awful”.

She said: “It is so high – it’s boredom, there’s nothing for people to do, it’s the cost-of-living crisis. I felt it was my duty to come here and pay my respects.”

Gurinder Singh Josan, the Smethwick MP, said in a statement on X: “This is a tragic waste of a young life and my thoughts, prayers and condolences are with the family and friends of the young boy.

“I want to thank the prompt response of the West Midlands Ambulance Service paramedics who administered advanced trauma care at the scene, but unfortunately and despite their best efforts, could not save the young boy.

“I have been in touch with Sandwell Police and, whilst we do not yet know the full circumstances, the police have launched a murder investigation and are working flat out to bring whoever is responsible into custody as soon as possible.”