More floral tributes left after boy, 13, stabbed to death in Oldbury

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.

West Midlands Crimestoppers chair, Mohammed Zafran said knife crime was an increasing problem in the area.

“We need parents to lay the foundations and more community leaders to come out in the open and put it to the authorities to ensure we have more youth hubs which can stop these youths from loitering on the streets,” he said.

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.

Her own brother was killed in 1998 and she said every time she hears of an alleged murder, it brings the pain back.

She said: “I came here to pay my respects and put flowers down. Every time there is an incident like this, I’ve lived this myself and even though it was 26 years ago, it still feels like yesterday and you relive it.”