West Midlands Police has apologised for failing to tell relatives of a teenage Birmingham student that he had been stabbed outside his college. The force said it should have “tried harder” to contact Mohammed Abdullah Al-Maahir’s family - who were alerted to the horror by education bosses.
The 18-year-old, from Small Heath, is in a serious but stable condition in hospital after the Monday morning attack outside Joseph Chamberlain College in Highgate. The IT student suffered knife wounds to his side, chest and stomach. His family released a shocking photograph of Mohammed lying in his hospital bed last Thursday in a bid to encourage witnesses to come forward.
Mum Saima had also criticised police for a lack of security at hospital and said the first face-to-face meeting with officers only happened last Thursday. It is understood the family has now lodged a formal complaint with the force, as well as with the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
A West Midlands Police spokeswoman said: “Several unsuccessful attempts were made to contact family members, however we should have tried harder and we apologise if our service did not meet what was expected and caused distress.
“The 18-year-old remains in a serious but stable condition following surgery after suffering three stab wounds. Security measures are in place at the hospital to restrict visitor access while he continues to recover. Officers have now been able to speak to the young man and CCTV footage from the area is being trawled to establish what happened and identify those responsible. “A 16-year-old boy from Lozells arrested shortly after the incident remains on police bail, but officers believe there may have been others involved and, although a number of witnesses have been spoken to, are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.”
