Good Samaritan intervenes
A Dudley resident has described how he chased off two machete-wielding thugs after they attacked a 13-year-old schoolboy for no apparent reason. The boy was knocked off his bike and stamped on during the terrifying assault, which unfolded outside Greens Health Centre on Maple Green just after 6pm on Friday 31 July.
The quick-thinking local, who was nearby when the attack began, said he intervened and the suspects fled. In a Facebook post, he wrote: "I chased the lads off, hope the little lad is OK. I checked him over but he wouldn't let me take him home, wasn't nothing to do with him either just attacked him for no reason."
He went on to reveal that the two attackers, who he believed were aged between 15 and 17, then ran at his own door while his children were inside. "The two lads with machetes even ran at my door with my kids in the house - nothing but scum," he added. "I have heard from his family he's OK but shook up, luckily wasn't stabbed, just hit. My heart sunk and thought the worst. They was around 15 to 17 and the poor kid was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. This world is a horrible place now."
Witness felt sick all night
Another resident, who was visiting the doctors' surgery at the time, described the harrowing scene she witnessed from behind the gated area. She said: "Does anyone know the young lad who got attacked by machetes, by the Greens doctors, as I witnessed everything, unfortunately I couldn't get to him quick enough as I was inside the gated part. I just want to know if he's ok. Gotta be honest it's shook me up a bit, I've felt sick all night."
Her emotional appeal on a local community group highlighted the shockwaves the attack sent through the neighbourhood. The incident has left many residents in the Dudley area concerned for their safety, particularly given the ages of the suspects and the use of such dangerous weapons in broad daylight.
Police confirm boy did not need hospital treatment
West Midlands Police have confirmed that the 13-year-old victim was not seriously injured and did not require hospital treatment for his injuries. A spokesperson for the force said: "We're investigating after a 13-year-old boy was assaulted by a group carrying weapons on Maple Green, Dudley. The incident took place shortly after 6pm yesterday (Fri). The boy was believed to have been knocked off his bike and stamped on, but did not require hospital treatment."
As of Sunday morning, no arrests had been made in connection with the attack. Police are now appealing for anyone with information to come forward. The spokesperson urged: "Anyone with any information is being urged to ring 101 quoting crime number 20/346092/26. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111."
The attack has prompted widespread condemnation from the local community, with many taking to social media to express their outrage and sympathy for the young victim. The Good Samaritan who intervened has been praised for his bravery, with residents describing him as a hero for putting himself at risk to protect the boy.
Police have increased patrols in the area as a reassurance to residents and are reviewing CCTV footage as part of their ongoing investigation. Anyone with dashcam or mobile phone footage from the area around the time of the incident is also asked to contact police.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by knife and machete crime in the West Midlands. While the victim was fortunate to escape without serious physical harm, the psychological impact of such an ordeal is likely to last much longer. The community has rallied around the young boy and his family, offering support and well-wishes as they come to terms with what happened.
Local councillors have also spoken out, calling for tougher action on youth violence and more resources for community policing. They have urged anyone with information to cooperate fully with the police investigation to ensure those responsible are brought to justice swiftly.
The investigation remains ongoing, and officers are following several lines of enquiry. The police stress that they rely on information from the public to solve such cases and encourage anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the Maple Green area on Friday evening to get in touch.
As the community seeks to heal, one thing is clear: the courage of the local resident who stepped in when it mattered has been widely praised, and his actions have ensured that a senseless act of violence did not end in far worse tragedy.
