Counter terror police called in after two boys, aged 12 and 13, hospitalised in London school stabbing
Counter-terror police are investigating after two boys, aged 12 and 13, were taken to hospital following a stabbing at a school in London.
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Emergency services were called to Kingsbury High School on Bacon Lane in Brent on Tuesday after two pupils were stabbed on the premises.
Students were placed on lockdown, with emergency measures in place, before later being released once the situation was brought under control.
Detectives have confirmed that they are working with counter-terror police to investigate, but stopped short of declaring the stabbing a terrorist incident.
Another teenage boy has been identified by police as a suspect and urgent enquiries are ongoing to locate him.
The boys' condition remains unknown at this time.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: “Officers are responding to a stabbing at a school on Bacon Lane, Brent.
Read more: Teenager who murdered schoolboy Leo Ross, 12, in random attack detained for minimum of 13 years
“Police were called to the scene at 12.40hrs on Tuesday, 10 February following a report that a 13-year-old boy had been stabbed."
"At the scene, officers were made aware of a 12-year-old boy who had also been stabbed.
"They were both taken to hospital by the London Ambulance Service. We await an update on their condition."
One parent, whose son attends the school, told LBC: "The fire alarm went off and my son and his colleagues had to leave all of their bags and gather in the playground. My son told me there were so many kids crying.
"I told my son that we will be applying to another school straight away. I was literally shaking when I went to pick him up from school.
"School is supposed to be the safest, happiest environment for kids to learn - this school will never be the same."
The school sent two texts to parents earlier this afternoon, letting them know that "the situation is now under control" and that they had spoken with the parents and carers of the students involved.
Shortly after, it said that pupils in the Lower School had been sent home and parents could come to collect their children if they wanted to.
Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, who leads policing in north west London, says: "We recognise that this incident will cause considerable concern within the community.
"We want to reassure local students, parents and local residents that we have deployed significant resources to the area and are doing everything we can to locate the suspect.
"Our thoughts are with the injured boys and I want to thank the paramedics and doctors who are providing them both with care. We'll provide further updates when we can."
A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called at 12.41pm today (10 February) to reports of a stabbing on Bacon Lane, NW9.
“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.
“We treated two patients in total. We took one patient to hospital and the other as a priority to a major trauma centre."
Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan said "there is no honour in staying silent" as he urged anyone with information to contact the police following the stabbings at a school in north west London.
In the statement issued on Tuesday evening, Sir Sadiq said: "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.
"A suspect has been arrested and 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."
The MP for Harrow East has said he is “deeply shocked and saddened” over the news.
In a post on X, Bob Blackman said: “I am deeply shocked and saddened to hear the dreadful news of the stabbing at Kingsbury High School this afternoon.
“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.”
The leader of Brent Council said it is “horrifying to think of how someone so young came to be in possession of a weapon capable of causing such harm”.
Councillor Muhammed Butt thanked the emergency services and school staff for their “swift response”, and said: “This is a deeply shocking and distressing incident, and our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been injured, their families and the whole school community.
"No parent should ever have to fear for their child’s safety at school, and it is horrifying to think of how someone so young came to be in possession of a weapon capable of causing such harm.”
Kingsbury High School is an academy school serving children aged 11 to 18, with both upper and lower sites.
According to the latest Department for Education information, it has 1,997 pupils.
It traces its origins to Kingsbury County School, which opened in 1925 in a building which had been the office of the former Aircraft Manufacturing Company. It moved premises in 1932.
Alumni include Wham’s George Michael, jazz musician Courtney Pine, Floyd Steadman the first black captain of the Saracens rugby team, and writer Ekow Eshun.