Teenagers stab boy in street after stealing his phone

A boy aged 13 was in a serious condition in hospital last night after being stabbed in the stomach as he walked along a street in Hackney Wick, north-east London.

A boy aged 13 was in a serious condition in hospital last night after being stabbed in the stomach as he walked along a street in Hackney Wick, north-east London.

The boy, who is black, and an Asian friend, aged 13, had been approached at about 1.20pm yesterday by two older teenagers who demanded to search them. The robbers stole a mobile phone and a small quantity of cash.

Police said a member of the public then intervened and led the two victims away. But the older boys later returned and one stabbed the boy.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "Both boys were assaulted but only one was stabbed. He was taken to hospital by ambulance and is in a serious, but non life-threatening, condition."

A spokesman for the London Ambulance Service said there was a report of a casualty with multiple stab wounds. The boy was found with "cuts to his stomach" and taken to Homerton Hospital, Hackney, he said.

Both suspects were described as black, aged about 16, and 5 ft 7 ins tall.The first suspect, who was carrying the knife, was wearing a black thigh-length coat and dark trousers. He wore a black cap with ear flaps lined with grey fur. The second suspect was also wearing a dark coat.

Police are anxious to trace the person who intervened before the attackers returned.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det Con Perry Benton at Hackney Robbery Squad on 0208 2173344 or Crime Stoppers on 0800 555111.