Boy, 17, 'injured by machete' in shopping centre

A 17-year-old boy has been injured during disorder at a shopping centre which included reports of a group armed with a machete.

Officers were called to Merry Hill in Brierley Hill, Dudley, at about 15:30 GMT on Friday following an altercation involving two groups.

It was believed one was chased through the complex by the other, police said, with the boy sustaining a small cut to his back from a weapon thought to be a machete, which needed medical attention.

The West Midlands force said it was working to understand who was involved, adding that officers had been in the area to provide reassurance.

Det Ch Insp Lucy Kirwan said: "We know the fear and alarm that this attack has caused, especially as it took place on a busy shopping day.

"It's clearly completely unacceptable, and we are working through CCTV and gathering other witness statements as we work to identify all of those involved.

"Extra officers will be patrolling in and around Merry Hill over the weekend to offer reassurance, and speak to anyone with concerns."

Police urged anyone with information or with mobile phone footage of what happened to contact the force.

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