Machete thug attacks mother's car during busy Dudley school run

Police are on the hunt for two men after the road rage incident near Jessons Primary School on Wednesday morning.

Officers were called multiple times just after 9.10am after reports from shaken parents that a man was using a machete to hit a car windscreen.

But they were not sent to the scene as they were told the men had left, which West Midlands Police has now apologised for – they said their response was "not appropriate".

The woman inside the car, a 23-year-old mother, said her young daughter was crying in the back seat after the attack.

A spokesman for the force said: "We were told that the offender had left the scene and no one was injured, however we appreciate that they are understandably shocked and shaken by what has happened.

"Initial enquiries were carried out but officers were not dispatched because we were told the suspects had left the scene.

"We’ve reviewed our actions and unfortunately, in this instance, our response was not appropriate and for that we apologise.

Shocking

"We visited the victim yesterday evening to take a statement and we have also retrieved mobile phone footage of the attack."

Detective Inspector Adam Tosh, from force CID, added: "This was a shocking incident which took place during the busy school run.

"So we are urging anyone who may have witnessed the attack, or have dash cam or CCTV footage, to get in touch."

Enquiries have established that a grey Mercedes Vito van believed to have been involved was on cloned plates.

Investigations are continuing and police have released the images of two men they want to speak about the attack.

Officers are also carrying out extra patrols in the area to offer reassurance.

Anyone who recognises the men in the image, or has any information can contact WMP via live chat at www.west-midlands.police.uk, or call 101 quoting crime reference number 20DY/305719K/20.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org