Crackdown on yobs after girl, 15, is injured in knife attack
Village ‘lawless at moment’ says resident
TROUBLEMAKERS have been banned from a village for 48 hours as police continue their investigation after a 15-year-old girl was injured in a knife attack.
Officers have been trawling through CCTV and taking witness statements after the teenager was assaulted in an alleyway off The Avenue, Blythe Bridge, on Wednesday night.
She was taken to hospital following the attack at about 7.45pm but has since been discharged.
Several youths were searched at the scene and it is understood a ‘minor injury’ was inflicted using a pen knife. A 14-year-old boy, from Stoke-on-trent, was arrested in connection with the incident and has been released under investigation.
Staffordshire Police have now issued a dispersal order in a bid to stop antisocial behaviour in and around Blythe Bridge Recreation Ground.
The order has already been enforced after police were called to ‘rowdy behaviour’ involving a group of ‘six or seven’ outside Blythe Bridge High School at 3pm yesterday.
Police said patrols would be stepped up in the village last night.
Chief Inspector Mark Thorley, of Staffordshire Police, said officers were continuing to investigate the attack on the 15-year-old girl.
He added: “CCTV from multiple locations has been seized and witness statements taken. This evidence is in the process of being reviewed to identify all involved and any further offences which may have been committed.
“Officers will be in the area to deal with anyone intent on causing trouble or engaging in anti-social behaviour, and to offer reassurance. I have authorised a dispersal order.”
The order gives officers the power to order anyone aged 10 or over to leave the area ‘by the most direct route’ if they are suspected to have caused a nuisance or are likely to do so.
Failing to comply is a criminal offence and police can use ‘reasonable force’ to remove anyone under 16 to a ‘place of safety’ or take them to their home address. The order came into effect at 2pm yesterday and those caught flouting the ban will face arrest and prosecution.
Mr Thorley added: “This will ensure that those who live, work and visit Blythe Bridge can do so without being concerned about the actions of a minority of children.”
People in Blythe Bridge have been left shocked. One, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “There was a young girl and she was lying cut in an alleyway close to the Blythe Bridge Recreation Ground. It is lawless in Blythe at the moment, my son fears going out at night.”
Paramedics confirmed they were called to reports of a patient in The Avenue at 7.43pm.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman added: “We treated a teenage female who was fully conscious. She was transported to Royal Stoke University Hospital.”
■ Information to police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.