Teen critical in hospital after Halesowen assault (From Dudley News)

Teen critical in hospital after Halesowen assault

5:10pm Saturday 16th June 2012 in Local

A 16-YEAR-old boy is in a critical condition in hospital today after being assaulted in Halesowen last night (Friday).

Police were alerted to the incident at around 9.10pm after a member of the public dialled 999 to say they thought there had been a fight and that a man was on the floor with people around him.

Officers were immediately dispatched and found the victim laying unconscious on Cocksheds Lane near to Malt Mill Lane and Olive Lane. They provided first aid until the ambulance service arrived to transport the boy to hospital.

Initial inquiries suggest there was an altercation involving the boy and three other men which resulted in him receiving a serious head injury.

House to house inquiries have been conducted and a fingertip search of the scene was carried out earlier this morning. CCTV cameras which may have captured the incident have been identified and are set to be reviewed.

Despite numerous witnesses already being spoken to, police are continuing to appeal for people who saw the incident or were in the area immediately before or after the attack to contact them.

Detective Inspector Nigel Harrison, from the force's Criminal Investigation Department, said: "We've spoken to a number of people already and we're just starting to piece together the circumstances which led to this lad sustaining this very serious head injury. But we need more information.

"I would urge anyone who witnessed the altercation or may have seen three young men in the area before the attack or fleeing the scene to contact me as a matter of urgency.

"We've worked hard to reduce violent crime in the area of late and if we're to continue this trend, we really need the public to get behind us and share what information they may have."

The victim's parents have been informed and are at their son's bedside.

The appeal comes at a time when most serious violent crimes in Dudley borough are down by nine per cent when compared to the same period last year. This equates to 12 fewer victims of most serious violence.

Anyone with information which may help the investigation should call detectives on 101. Alternatively, people can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.