13 children arrested after 11-year-old schoolboy seriously injured in Metro attack

The 11-year-old was travelling on the Metro between Felling and Central Station when he was attacked last Monday evening (March 9).

Now, Nortumbria Police has confirmed 13 children, aged between 11 and 16, have been arrested in connection with the attack.

It was reported that the schoolboy was targeted at about 8.20pm that night before other members of the public came to his aid.

He got off the Metro at Newcastle’s Central Station before he was taken to hospital by paramedics with serious but non-life threatening injuries.

The boy has since been discharged from hospital and now detectives investigating the case have revealed 13 children have been arrested.

The 13 children arrested have all been bailed, with conditions restricting them from using the Metro, pending further inquiries.

Detective Inspector Laura Stabler, of Northumbria Police, said: “This was an appalling incident that has understandably caused a lot of public concern and anger.

“As a force we have been working closely with Nexus to make the Metro a safe environment for members of the public and we have had lots of success.

“This assault was completely unacceptable and there is no place for this level of violence on the Metro, or in society at all.

“We have been supporting the victim and his family while carrying out extensive enquiries to identify all of those involved.

“More than a dozen teenagers have now been arrested and interviewed in the presence of an appropriate adult about the circumstances around the assault.

“Those inquiries will continue but we hope these arrests offer some reassurance to those who were concerned about this assault.

“We still want any witnesses who may have seen the assault, or seen the group responsible immediately before or after, to contact police immediately.”

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact police on 101 quoting log 1093 09/03/20 or report it online at the Northumbria Police website or contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.