UK procuring centre stabbing as group with ‘samurai sword’ chase man via meals court docket
Shoppers and restaurant staff witnessed a horrifying scene of a person being ‘slashed’ and a man wielding a ‘samurai sword’ at a bustling shopping centre.
The violent incident erupted at the Merry Hill shopping centre in Brierley Hill, Dudley, on Friday afternoon, resulting in a teenager being stabbed. Police and paramedics were promptly called to the scene.
Thankfully, the teenage boy was rushed to hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening. While West Midlands Police have yet to confirm, it’s believed the attack occurred at Merry Hill’s food court known as Eat Central.
A staff member at Big Smoke restaurant within Eat Central confirmed to BirminghamLive: “Yes it happened here.”, reports Birmingham Live. “Three or four guys, roadmen, came running through here. One guy was chasing and then he slashed another guy.”
When queried about the severity of the injuries, the worker admitted he didn’t know. He added that the food court remained open during and after the incident. “We didn’t close,” he stated.
In another account, a woman posted on X (formerly Twitter) that a “guy was with a samurai sword through Eat Central”.
West Midlands Police (WMP) reported receiving information about a group of individuals ‘armed with a weapon’ just after 3.30pm today.
West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) also confirmed they were called to the scene at 3.39pm where they found “one patient, a teenage male”.
“He was treated for injuries not believed to be serious before being taken to hospital for further assessment,” said a WMAS spokesperson.
Following the stabbing incident, Merry Hill appeared remarkably peaceful just hours afterwards.
Come early evening, customers had returned to their usual habits – wandering about, queuing up, sipping coffees and navigating the centre as though it were just another ordinary day.
Despite the gravity of the earlier attack, there was minimal visible police presence when BirminghamLive turned up.
One journalist noticed just one police car parked outside Next, though no officers could be seen patrolling either the shopping centre’s edges or anywhere within the complex. The quiet atmosphere indicated the inquiry had likely shifted to another location.
Staff at the customer services counter said they were unable to discuss the incident, whilst numerous nearby retailers seemed completely oblivious that anything had occurred.
Several people in the Eat Central food court were conscious of what had happened, though most declined to speak when questioned.
Shopper Lindsey Gregory admitted she hadn’t realised there had been any disturbance but remarked she was “not surprised”.
“You get so many teenagers here in big groups,” said the 24-year-old. “It’s pretty disgusting that there’s violence at shops, where there’s kids and that, but I suppose that’s where we are.”
Following the violent episode, Jonathan Poole, Centre Manager for Merry Hill, said: “We are aware of an incident that occurred in the centre this afternoon and we are assisting West Midlands Police with its investigation.
“Customer safety is our number one priority, and we work hard to ensure that Merry Hill remains a safe place to visit.”
A representative for WMP further stated: “We received reports of a group armed with a weapon in Merry Hill shopping centre at just after 3.30pm today (28 November).
“One person sustained a minor injury and has received medical attention.
“Officers are in the area as we investigate who was involved and provide reassurance.
“Anyone with information can contact us via Live Chat on our website, or by calling 101, and quote log 3541 of 28/11/25.”
