Birmingham shooting: Boy, 13, in critical condition after being shot in back at Hockley Circus

A 13-year-old boy is in critical condition in hospital today after being shot in Birmingham last night.

West Midlands Police said the victim was walking down Hockley Circus when he was shot in the back shortly before 7pm.

A force spokesman said that investigators were in the “very early stages” of their inquiry.

The boy is believed to have suffered life-changing injuries, the force added, and remains in hospital.

An area around an underpass where the shooting took place will remain closed off as officers carry out a forensic examination of the scene.

Police have issued an urgent appeal for anyone in the area with information to come forward.

A force spokesperson said:

“This is a busy area with lots of motorists, so we're asking anyone with dashcams to check their footage as this may help us identify the people responsible,"

Hockley Circus is next to the Hockley flyover, one of the city's main arterial routes, joining the city and the M5 motorway.

“If you witnessed anything, please contact us as this information could provide integral to our investigation."