A TEENAGER has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a 17-year-old boy was stabbed to death in Smethwick.

The 18-year-old was found by police in the early hours of yesterday (Sunday May 2) at an address in Smethwick.

The victim was found with stab injuries in a white Ford Focus which crashed in Heath Street, at around 4.20pm on Saturday (May 1).

He was taken to hospital but was pronounced dead around an hour later.

Police said that at around 4.10pm, the victim had been chased into a shop in Waterloo Road, Smethwick, and attacked with a knife.

The Nowa Polka shop on Waterloo Road, Smethwick

The Nowa Polka shop on Waterloo Road, Smethwick. Pic: Snapper SK

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "Our enquiries identified a suspect and just before 2am officers arrested a man from a property in Smethwick.

"He remains in police custody."

Detective Inspector Hannah Whitehouse from West Midlands Police's Homicide Unit, said: “This is a tragic loss of a young life and my thoughts are with the boy’s family who are clearly devastated at what’s happened.

“We understand the victim was stabbed in Waterloo Road but then transported in a white Ford Focus that crashed in Heath Street.

"Several people fled the scene of the collision and we are working hard to try and identify everyone involved.

“My officers worked through the night and this morning to seize CCTV, speak to witnesses and gather intelligence. And that led us to the address in Smethwick where a suspect was arrested.

“I really need to hear from any witnesses who saw the victim being chased in Waterloo Road or him and the attacker leaving that location, plus anyone who saw the collision in Heath Street and what happened afterwards.

“If anyone captured video on phones or dash-cam then I would also urge them to get in touch as they could have vital information.”

People can message police on Live Chat via the website or call officers on 101. They should quote crime ref 20/549867/21.