Wolverhampton shooting: Three arrested as boy in serious condition

Police have put up a forensic tent at the scene of the shooting

A 16-year-old boy has been shot in the head in Wolverhampton.

The teenager is in a serious condition in hospital following the shooting in Graiseley Street in the Pennfields area of the city just before 20:00 BST on Monday.

Two boys, aged 15 and 17, have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. A 20-year-old man has also been held on suspicion of assault.

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

A neighbour, who asked not to be named, said she heard "two loud bangs".

"I really hope the young boy has a safe recovery," she said. "I've also contacted the council as I don't feel safe in my own home."

Police have cordoned off Graiseley Street in the Pennfields area of Wolverhampton

Insp Ade George, from West Midlands Police, said: "I am appealing directly to anyone who was in the area and saw what happened to contact us if they have not already done so.

"No matter how insignificant you feel the information may be, it could really help with our investigation as we continue to follow forensic and CCTV inquiries."

The latest Office of National Statistics figures show West Midlands Police recorded 24 gun offences per 100,000 residents in the force area in 2017-2018.

That is more than double the average for England and Wales, and matched only by London's Metropolitan Police.

The statistics also show that, after a fall in recorded firearms offences from 2010 to 2016, the number rose from 542 in 2015-16 to 681 in 2017-18. That is still lower than the peak of 985 offences in 2008-09.

Last month, West Midlands assistant police and crime commissioner Ashley Bertie called for extra government funding to help tackle violent crime.