Busy Birmingham shopping area stunned by bus stabbing as 'scared' residents call for curfew

Birmingham residents said they were 'scared' and frustrated after their area was sealed off following a city bus stabbing. Part of Coventry Road in Small Heath was cordoned off on Friday night, November 15, after a teenager was stabbed on a bus.

The 18-year-old was thought to have been knifed for his phone and West Midlands Police officers were hunting two suspects thoughtn to have fled along Golden Hillock Road after the attack.

Emergency services flooded the junction of Golden Hillock Road and Coventry Road just after 6pm on Friday, with footage from the scene showing ambulance response vehicles and police cars surrounding a National Express West Midlands bus.

READ MORE: Teen rushed to hospital after Birmingham bus stabbing

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'The area is going down'

On Saturday morning, business owners and residents called for better street lighting, a night-time curfew and an increased policing presence. In a statement, West Midlands Police said the the victim remained in hospital with injuries not believed to be life-threatening, and urged potential witnesses to get in touch.

The busy shopping area had, on the surface, returned to normal by this morning. But the attack was on the minds of most people we spoke to.

In clothing store Thowfa, owner Hussain was chatting through last night's events with his friend and former business owner of 38 years. Hussain said: "This area is going down, the business is down, everything is down.

Chatting beneath rows of formal wear and ladies clothing, he said that some people in the area felt unable to go out after 3pm to avoid being out after dark. He said: "The lampposts are not lit, the way people are driving, people are scared. Councillors are not doing their job.

"We need more policing, They only come here at Ramadan." Asked what should be done to improve the safety of people at night, he replied: "Ten o'clock should be be it for all businesses. People won't agree but they should be closed then."

'I feel safe - but business is down'

A few doors up we met Mohammed Jamil, who was opening his business, IT Zone, for the day. The IT repair store sits two doors down from the scene of the stabbing.

Mohammed saw the emergency service response unfold as he finished work yesterday, but wasn't sure of the nature of the incident. He said: "There were lots of ambulances and cars. I feel safe here, there is nothing wrong." But he added: "Business is down at the moment, it is an economic thing, we have been here about ten years."

Next we met a worker at Small Heath Business Centre. The worker, who wished to remain anonymous, said crime was not the issue but the state of the area.

"We have no trouble with crime" he said from his position on the till, which overlooks the busy junction. He did add that crime issues came from outside: "It comes from out of the area, school kids going through. A lot happens, it is what it is.

"I would like to see cleaner streets, they are all a bit s**t, [there is] rubbish. The government don't really care about it."

Full police statement on Small Heath stabbing

A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: "We're investigating after a man suffered a stab injury during a robbery on a bus in Golden Hillock Road, Birmingham, yesterday. Officers attended and found the 18-year-old being treated by paramedics.

"He was taken for further treatment at hospital and remains in a stable condition today with injuries which are not believed to be life-changing. We understand two offenders stole a mobile phone from the victim before leaving along Golden Hillock Road.

"CCTV is being reviewed and door to door enquiries being carried out as investigators work to trace those responsible. Anyone with information can contact us via Live Chat on our website or calling 101, quoting crime reference 20/970558/24."