20-year-old attacked with machete in Walsall

Walsall suffers it’s third violent crime in two month after 20-year-old was attacked by a machete.

A 20-year-old was taken to hospital after being attacked with a machete in Walsall.

The victim has suffered slash wounds and was treated in hospital for his injuries, fortunately they were not life-changing injuries.

He was attacked by a group on men on Pool Street just before 20:00 on Monday 13th.

This attack comes just a few days after Walsall detectives launched an investigation into the murder of 29-year-old Akeem Francis-Kerr. Akeem was fatally stabbed at 5am outside a nightclub called Valesha, locally known as Colliseum.

Around 5am on March 11th, police were called to Newport Street after a stabbing. Despite hospital efforts, he was pronounced dead at 6am.

No one has been arrested in connection to the stabbing. However, Chief Superintendent Phil Dolby, of the West Midlands Police said: “We’re going to catch you”.

He added: “I would encourage you to hand yourself in as soon as possible as the longer you leave that, the more that may go against you in the later court of law.”

In the meantime, officers are reviewing CCTV footage from around the area speaking to witnesses.

Maariyah Salloo, who has lived in Walsall her whole life, said: “There has been a huge increase in crime in our local community. It’s not just affecting us individually but affecting us as a community. The public no longer feel safe and are frightened inside or outside their own home.”

Less than 2 months ago, Walsall suffered the death of Bailey Atkinson, who was stabbed to death in Walsall’s High Street. There have been eight people, from the ages of 15 to 18 who have been charged with his murder.

Atkinson’s funeral will take place in Coventry on 24th March.

Bailey Atkinson, 20

Walsall residence continue to grow concerned as the number of crimes grow rapidly. According to crimerate.co.uk, Walsall in the top 10 most dangerous towns in the West Midlands, with 151 crimes per 1,000 people. The common crimes in Walsall are violence and sexual offences.

Walsall resident, Calum Walker took to Facebook and said: “There has apparently been yet another stabbing in Walsall town, when is this going to END. The police, local councils and venues across the West Midlands are trying their hardest to fight back and to prevent these occurrences from happening … and most of all to protect the public but it’s happening again and again …. It needs to stop”.

In an attempt to reduce crime in Walsall, local police have conducted intelligence-led stop and searches for the past year, as a result, seized 36 knives off the street. They commented: “from the beginning of April, more force resources will be brought under the command of Walsall's Chief Supt Phil Dolby and his leadership team, to focus even more on local communities and their safety.”

-Aasiyah Salloo