Former Pupil in Old Uniform Stabs Two Boys at Brent Secondary School
Two pupils, aged 12 and 13, were left seriously injured after being stabbed at lunchtime on Tuesday at Kingsbury High School in Brent, north-west London. A 13-year-old boy, believed to be a former pupil who was wearing his old school uniform, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
Victims in Stable Condition After Traumatic Attack
Detective Chief Superintendent Helen Flanagan provided an update on Wednesday, confirming that the two victims are in a stable condition in hospital. Their wounds, while serious, are thankfully not life-threatening. The suspect fled the scene but was later apprehended by police, who also recovered a weapon believed to have been used in the stabbing.
According to reports, the offender climbed over a wall to gain entry to the school. One of the victims alerted teachers to the attack by pulling the fire alarm, leading to chaos as students were evacuated. A parent described her daughter's distress after seeing blood on a window near the science classroom where the incident occurred.
Counter-Terror Police Lead Investigation
Due to the surrounding circumstances, the investigation is now being led by officers from counter-terrorism policing London, though it has not currently been declared a terrorist incident. Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams stated that police are keeping an open mind as to the motivation behind the attack.
Investigators are analysing the suspect's devices and reviewing dozens of witness accounts to establish a motive. The grandfather of two pupils at the school, Janti Kalyan, 60, said his grandchildren believe the attacker was a former pupil wearing the school's uniform and that they are traumatised by the event.
School Community Deeply Affected
Headteacher Alex Thomas described the incident as a deeply traumatic event for the whole school community in a letter to parents and carers. The lower school was closed on Wednesday, with students told to stay at home, though the upper school remained open for Years 10-13.
Pupils were spoken to by police officers in one of the school's halls for more than three hours after the usual school day finished on Tuesday, with some seen leaving in tears. The father of one pupil said children were obviously traumatised by what happened in front of them.
Political Reactions and Security Concerns
Sir Keir Starmer called the stabbing an appalling attack during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday. Schools minister Georgia Gould told Sky News that the Government could look at bolstering security in schools but ruled out installing metal detectors.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said her thoughts and prayers were with the two children stabbed in the shocking attack, while Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said she is heartbroken about the stabbings. Brent Council leader Muhammed Butt thanked emergency services and school staff for their swift response, adding that no parent should ever have to fear for their child's safety at school.
Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan urged anyone with information to contact the police, stating that this awful violence has absolutely no place in the city. Kingsbury High School is an academy school serving children aged 11 to 18, with both upper and lower sites.
