Attack leaves knife stuck in teen's skull

A brutal attack outside a supermarket saw a 16-year-old left with a large knife stuck in his skull. Photo / AP

An x-ray of a teenager's skull with a knife sticking out of it is being used as a warning against knife crime by British police.

London's Metropolitan Police have released the image as part of a campaign against a rapidly rising rate of knife and gun crime in the city.

The chilling x-ray shows a large knife jutting out of the 16-year-old boy's skull just above his eye, with the point nearly reaching his ear.

He was attacked outside a Southwark supermarket last November.

Police say the youth has since recovered from the stabbing, but still needs close medical supervision.

Two of his friends were also stabbed during the attempted robbery.

Detective Constable Scott Albert told Reuters: "Anyone thinking of carrying a knife should be warned by this case. Don't be a statistic. Life is precious."

The agency said a 17-year-old was last week found guilty of attempted murder and grievous bodily harm. He will be sentenced later this month.

- NZ HERALD STAFF