A TEENAGER was stabbed in Howley Grange during the weekend after an altercation over a mobile phone.

The 16-year-old lad was walking along Frankley Avenue when he was attacked on Friday night.

He was stood in an alleyway which runs between Frankley Avenue and Howley Grange Road at around 6.30pm when a man walked up to him and demanded his mobile phone.

The victim refused to hand the phone over, and the attacker hit him in the stomach area. It wasn’t until moments later that he realised he had been stabbed.

The teenager was taken to hospital where he received treatment to a stab wound. He has subsequently been released from medical care.

Detective constable Simon Pittaway from the Sandwell and Dudley team of Force CID said: “This lad is lucky that the injury was not more serious, given the nature of the incident.

“The offender came from Howley Grange Road along the alleyway, and left in the same direction, so we are keen to hear from anyone who was in that area and may have seen something on Friday evening.

“Howley Grange is a safe area and it is unusual to hear of this kind of incident in the neighbourhood. We urge anyone who knows anything to come forward and help us find the person responsible.”

The attacker is described as a mixed race male, of slim build, around 5ft 9in tall, and he was wearing dark clothing, including a face covering or balaclava.

Anyone with information should contact Team 8 of Force CID based at Harborne Police station on 0345 113 5000 or speak to Crimestopers anonymously on 0800 555 111.