A 14-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a 12-year-old boy was stabbed to death in Birmingham.

West Midlands Police said the boy was found with serious injuries near Scribers Lane, Hall Green, shortly after 3pm on Tuesday.

He was taken to hospital but died from his injuries, the force added.

Police said the boy’s family have been informed and are being supported by specially-trained officers.

The fatal stabbing happened on the day that MPs were told following the Southport murders that a ban on knife sales to under-18s has not proved effective.

The sale of knives with a fixed blade of more than three inches long to under-18s is illegal in England and Wales, with retailers facing fines or prosecution if they breach the law.

But Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has revealed that Southport killer Axel Rudakubana was “easily able to order a knife on Amazon”, when he was still aged 17 and had been convicted over violence.

She told MPs: “That’s a total disgrace and it must change. So, we will bring in stronger measures to tackle knife sales online in the Crime and Policing Bill this spring.”

West Midlands Police said in a statement: “We are continuing to appeal for any information which could help in our investigation.

“We have set up our major incident public portal (MIPP) where members of the public can submit photos or video evidence.”

Police are asking anyone with information to use the MIPP or call 101 quoting log 3324 of January 21.

Detective Inspector Joe Davenport, from the West Midlands Police major crime unit, said: “We’re urgently reviewing CCTV and speaking to witnesses as we work to understand what happened and why, and who was responsible.

“If you were in the area at the time and saw what happened, or think you may have captured any part of what happened on dashcam or mobile phone, it’s vital you get in touch with as soon as possible.”