UK police on Tuesday confirmed they are questioning a teenage suspect following the stabbing of two boys at a secondary school in London, with counter-terrorism officers now leading the investigation.
The suspect, believed to be 13 years old, was arrested several hours after reportedly fleeing the school. The victims, aged 12 and 13, were attacked at Kingsbury High School in northwest London. Police said they have recovered the suspected weapon used in the incident.
Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams said both injured students were receiving medical care and that their conditions were understood to be serious.
“The suspect has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and remains in custody for questioning,” Williams told reporters at the school.
He added that while investigators were keeping an open mind regarding the motive behind the attack, the circumstances surrounding the incident prompted counter-terrorism police to take charge of the case in collaboration with local officers.
“At this stage, the incident has not been classified as terrorism, and we are not seeking any additional suspects,” Williams said.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson described the incident as heartbreaking, stating that her department was working closely with the school and local council to provide support.
Media reports indicated that students were still being interviewed by police several hours after the school day had ended.
The incident comes amid ongoing concerns about rising knife-related violence among teenagers in the UK, particularly in London. Teachers’ unions have warned that violence within schools has been increasing nationwide.
Earlier this month, a separate case in Wales saw a 15-year-old boy charged with the attempted murder of a female teacher following an alleged knife attack.
Following the London stabbing, both victims were transported to hospital. The London Ambulance Service said one patient was taken to a hospital, while the other was rushed to a major trauma centre.
In a message to parents, Kingsbury High School headteacher Alex Thomas described the incident as deeply distressing for the entire school community. He confirmed that the situation was under control but noted that sections of the school would remain closed on Wednesday.
