Kamal Ghorui
UK police on Tuesday arrested a teenage suspect after two boys were stabbed at a school in northwest London, with counter-terrorism officers taking charge of the probe amid concerns over the circumstances of the attack.The suspect, believed to be 13, was arrested several hours after fleeing Kingsbury High School, where the stabbing took place just after midday. Police said the boys, aged 12 and 13, were taken to hospital and were in serious condition. The suspected weapon has been recovered.“The suspect was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and remains in custody for questioning,” detective chief superintendent Luke Williams told reporters at the scene. He said police were keeping an open mind on the motive, adding that while the incident has not been declared a terrorist attack, counter-terrorism officers are leading the investigation. Police said they were not looking for any other suspects.Students were still being interviewed by officers hours after the school day ended, according to media reports.Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said she was “heartbroken” by the incident and that her department was in touch with the school and local council to offer support.The stabbings come amid growing concern over teenage knife violence in the UK, particularly in London, and a rise in violent incidents in schools, according to teaching unions. Last week, a 15-year-old boy in Wales was remanded in custody after being charged with the attempted murder of a female teacher in a knife attack.The London Ambulance Service said two patients were treated, with one taken to hospital and the other to a major trauma centre as a priority.In a letter to parents, Kingsbury High School headteacher Alex Thomas described the incident as “deeply traumatic” for the school community, adding that the situation was under control. Some parts of the school, which has nearly 2,000 pupils aged 11 to 18, will remain closed on Wednesday.
