Residents in shock as masked thugs attack man in street with baseball bats and a machete

Masked men with baseball bats and a machete attacked a man in the Small Heath area of Birmingham last night, according to reports.

The violent attack is believed to have taken place at around 8pm on Monday evening, on Barnesville Close in Small Heath. Witnesses at the scene said they saw a group of masked men jump out of a car and attack a young man.

One of the men was allegedly wielding a machete and was involved in the street disturbance, which left his victim with cuts to the hands as he attempted to defend himself against the onslaught.

According to eyewitnesses, the unidentified male victim was in distress, but local residents were too scared to offer help for fear of being attacked if they became involved.

One local resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, told I Am Birmingham:

“We couldn’t get out to help as the man [the attacker with the machete] was still there and it wasn’t safe.”

Another resident told us:

“Masked men in a car jumped out and battered a young man with baseball bats and attacked him with a machete.”

While a third witness suggested to our reporters that “This is a gang war,” a claim that has not been confirmed or verified.

West Midlands Police quickly arrived at the scene and Barnesville Close was cordoned off as officers launched an investigation.

This is a breaking story and will be updated as more details emerge.

Anyone who has any information relating to this incident please contact West Midlands Police via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk between 8am to midnight, call 101 anytime or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.