Two quizzed over pupil stabbing

The injured boy was playing football outside the school

Two teenage boys are being questioned about the stabbing of a 14-year-old boy outside his school in Birmingham.

The victim suffered stomach injuries when he was attacked outside Heartlands High School in Nechells on Friday.

He is stable at City Hospital after undergoing surgery and his condition is not life-threatening.

West Midlands Police said two 16-year-olds, from the Stechford and Hodge Hill areas, were being questioned on suspicion of attempted murder.

The victim, believed to be from the Winson Green area of the city, was playing football before the attack.

'Paltry fine'

The stabbing came a week after Kiyan Prince, 15, was knifed to death outside his London school. A 16-year-old boy has been charged with his murder.

Earlier the Police Federation criticised the maximum six-month sentence for carrying knives, describing it as "extremely soft".

Spokesman Paul Tonks said normally "just a paltry fine" was given out.

Mr Tonks said of the knife-carrying culture: "I wonder whether it a fashion accessory. Knives are easy to get hold of. They are in everybody's house and everybody's kitchen.

"Society, and politicians in particular, need to appreciate this is a problem and it needs to be dealt with."