A police counter-terrorism unit was last night leading the inquiry into the stabbing of two boys aged 13 and 12 at a school in north-west London.
Police were called to Kingsbury high school, in Brent, Tuesday afternoon after reports that a 13-year-old boy had been stabbed. When they arrived at the scene, officers found a 12-year-old boy who had also been stabbed. Police said a 13-year-old had been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
DCS Luke Williams, who leads policing in north-west London, said both injured boys were in a serious condition and police were awaiting a further update.
He said: “The thoughts of everyone at the Met are with them and their loved ones, and we want to thank the doctors and nurses who are providing the boys with urgent care.”
Williams said the suspect, believed to be 13, left the scene after the stabbing and the investigation was being led by counter-terrorism officers, who were working alongside local police.
He said: “After urgent inquiries our officers arrested him and also recovered a weapon, which we believe to have been used in the stabbing.
“The suspect was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and remains in custody for questioning by our officers.”
The officer said police were not currently looking at any other suspects in relation to the incident.
“This has not currently been declared a terrorist incident and the investigation team will now be working at pace to gather any evidence and to establish the full circumstances of what has happened as quickly as possible.”
A police van was seen blocking the entrance to Kingsbury high school’s lower school after the incident.
Pupils, some of whom were in tears, continued to be spoken to by police officers in one of the school’s halls on Tuesday evening, more than three hours after the school day finished.
A father of a year 8 pupil who had been kept by police as a potential witness, said children had been “traumatised by what happened in front of them”.
Alex Thomas, the headteacher of the school, described the incident as “a deeply traumatic event for the whole school community” in a letter sent to parents and carers in which he confirmed two students had been stabbed.
He said: “Our thoughts and best wishes are with our students and their families at this incredibly difficult time.
“We would also like to thank the emergency services for their swift response and our staff for the calm and dedicated way they supported students throughout the day.
“Students in the lower school were kept in the playground at the request of the police while they began their investigations, they were incredibly patient and respectful of others during this time.”
He said the lower school would be closed on Wednesday and advised students to stay at home. The upper school will be open for students in years 10-13.
“The situation is under control, but a live investigation is taking place. We are working closely with the authorities and I will provide further updates as soon as I am able to share confirmed information. Please keep the students and their families in your thoughts.”
The home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, said her thoughts and prayers were with the two children who were stabbed.
She wrote on X: “The police have arrested the suspect, and I would like to thank them for their rapid work in doing so. We must now give them the space to pursue their investigation.”
The education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said she was “heartbroken” about the stabbings and said her team were in contact with the school and Brent council to offer support.
She wrote on X: “My heart goes out to the families affected and the young people, teachers and school community at this awful time.”
The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, urged anyone with information about the stabbings to contact the police, saying “there is no honour in staying silent”.
He said in a statement: “My thoughts are with the family, friends and wider community in Brent following the appalling stabbings today. This awful violence has absolutely no place in our city.
“I am in close contact with the Met as they investigate this terrible incident. The investigation is in its early stages and it’s right the police are investigating every possible element.”
Bob Blackman, the MP for Harrow East, said he was “deeply shocked and saddened” by the stabbing. In a post on X, Blackman said: “Two boys have been stabbed, and my thoughts are with them, their families and the whole school community.
“I want to thank the emergency services for their rapid and professional response. I know this will shock our local community, and I am in close contact with the police and will continue to seek updates as they work to keep everyone safe.”
Muhammed Butt, the leader of Brent council, described the incident as “deeply shocking and distressing” and thanked emergency services and school staff for their “swift response”.
He added: “Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been injured, their families and the whole school community. ”
A London ambulance service spokesperson said: “We sent resources to the scene including ambulance crews, incident response officers an advanced paramedic, a paramedic from our tactical response unit and a clinical team manager. We also dispatched a trauma team in a car from London’s air ambulance.”
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