Hundreds protest after boy, 16, stabbed

Protestors gathered in Bordesley Green after Saturday's stabbing

Hundreds of people have taken part in a protest in Birmingham after a teenage boy was stabbed.

About 200 residents gathered on Pretoria Road in Bordesley Green on Sunday, a day after the 16-year-old was attacked.

The teenager was taken to hospital with serious injuries following the incident at about 15:30 GMT and West Midlands Police said he was in a stable condition.

Speaking to BBC Midlands Today during Sunday's protest, Pedro Manole, a cousin of the victim, said the boy was stabbed because someone wanted to take his jacket.

"We are here to show support. We are a small community but we are strong together. We are here united as one voice to stop the crime in Birmingham," he said.

Protestor Nav Sadiq said knife crime was becoming a regular occurrence in the community and that it was time for people to come together.

"From something bad, something good should come out of it and I would like to put my hand out to the community and say we are one community," he said.

Estera Makghioala, who also attended the protest, said people were "very scared" whenever their children go outside to school or to the shop.

"We have a lot of mums here with a scared feeling," she added.

Hospital disorder probe

Police said they were also investigating reports of disorder involving a number of people at a Birmingham hospital, which was believed to have been linked to the stabbing.

The force said reports that ambulances were raided or unable to drop off patients were "untrue", describing the claims made on social media as "false".

"We have spoken to officers who attended the hospital with the victim, along with hospital staff on duty at the time as well as ambulance officials," a police spokesperson said.

"All have confirmed that these rumours are untrue, unhelpful and damaging to the caring service they provide."

They said uniformed police would be patrolling the area around Pretoria Road to "listen to local concerns".