Police are asking for help in identifying a male suspect they believe is responsible for the vicious assault on a 16-year-old male, which occurred in Eaton Rise at approximately 04.45 on Sunday 26th June.

The victim had spent the evening in central London but had been separated from his relatives whilst returning to Ealing.

On arrival back at Ealing the victim ran for an E2 / E8 bus which was stationed at the bus stop on Haven Green. This bus would have been travelling towards Pitshanger Lane via Eaton Rise. The bus pulled away from the bus stop prior to the victim reaching the bus stop. The victim, along with a group of approximately ten other young people describe as being black youths both male and female, ran after the bus in an attempt to board the bus at its next bus stop on Eaton Rise. Unfortunately all parties missed the bus.

The group had ran about 50 yards along Eaton Rise, and the victim asked for some directions. The victim then proceeded to walk north along Eaton Rise. A few seconds, later he received what he initially thought was a punch in the back. He turned around and felt another apparent punch. He immediately noticed blood and realised that he had been stabbed. The suspect, along with the group of youths went southbound on Eaton Rise towards Castlebar Road. The victim is unsure if the group ran back towards Haven Green or northbound on Castlebar Road.

The victim flagged down a passing motorist who took him to hospital. He underwent surgery on 2) stab wounds to his back and 1 stab wound to his stomach. He is now in a stable condition.

The victim is white, 16 years of age, and was wearing a blue shirt, blue jeans and black shoes. He was visiting relatives in Ealing and had only been in the country two days when the attack occurred. The suspect is described as approximately 16 – 18 years, 5’ 06”, thin build, wearing a grey hooded top. He was the smallest of the group of youths present at the incident.

Detective Sergeant Mark Bishop said, "Ealing borough police are treating this incident very seriously and are anxious to trace the offender. This was a terrifying vicious and unprovoked attack on an innocent member of the public. The rapid actions of the member of the public who took the victim to hospital may well have saved this young man's life. It is important we locate the individual responsible and would like to appeal to anyone with information about this incident to get in contact."

Ealing Borough Police are asking anyone with any information (cab drivers, night bus drivers, partygoers, those going to work, those returning from work) about this incident or the identity of the suspect to contact DS Mark Bishop in the CID Office at Southall Police Station on 0208-246-1105 or alternatively if you wish to remain anonymous please call Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.