Two teens arrested after Oldbury boy, 13, stabbed to death

Local officers and youth workers were due to be in the area over the next few days to address any concerns from residents.

Dudley councillor Caroline Reid, whose brother was killed in 1998, said the death was “heartbreaking” and “just so sad”.

“No one will understand what it is like unless you have walked those steps and been through it yourself. There are no words. The grief is awful,” she said.

Smethwick MP Gurinder Singh Josan said in a statement on Friday: “This is a tragic waste of a young life and my thoughts, prayers and condolences are with the family and friends of the young boy.”

Last year, the West Midlands had the highest rate of knife offences in England and Wales.

One woman, who had lived on the estate for more than 30 years, said she was “shocked” after finding out the victim was teenager.

“It’s just getting worse,” she said of knife crime in the region.