A pair of teenagers who were stabbed at a London school are in a stable condition.
The two boys, aged 12 and 13, were attacked at Kingsbury High School in Brent, northwest London, on Tuesday.
Officers are continuing to question a 13-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
A Met Police spokesman confirmed the injures were “serious” but not life-threatening and the two boys remain in hospital in a stable condition.
Investigators are analysing his devices and going through dozens of witness accounts as they try to establish the motive for the attack.
The grandfather of two pupils at the school said that they believe the suspected offender was a former pupil.
Janti Kalyan, 60, added his grandchildren said the attacker was wearing the school’s uniform. He went on: “My grandchildren are traumatised.”
Sir Keir Starmer called the stabbing “an appalling attack” during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday.
The incident took place at Kingsbury High School
|
PA
Detective Chief Superintendent Helen Flanagan from Counter Terrorism Policing London, said: “This continues to be a fast-paced investigation and officers from Counter Terrorism Policing London continue to make inquiries into the circumstances.
“I can now confirm that the injuries suffered by the two victims, while serious, are thankfully not life-threatening and they remain in hospital in a stable condition.
“Our thoughts remain with them and their loved ones at this incredibly difficult time. Specialist officers are providing their families with support.
“Increased patrols to reassure the local community will continue today. If you have concerns, we urge you to speak to officers – they are there to help and will remain in the area to offer support and answer any questions. The 13-year-old boy who was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder remains in custody at this time.”
A police vehicle within the grounds of the school
|
PA
A resident said that children at the school claimed that the offender was not a pupil at Kingsbury High School.
The woman, who did not wish to be named, said: “I was stood outside when the police came, I didn’t know what was going on. There was a big presence of police cars and ambulance workers, there was also a helicopter in the air.”
She added: “When the children started to come out they looked worried…I spoke to some girls who said that boys had been stabbed.
“Obviously they were worried and said that the boy came from another school. They said that one boy was stabbed in the neck.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams
|
PA
Brent Council leader Muhammed Butt thanked the emergency services and school staff for their “swift response.”
He said: “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.”
Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan urged anyone with information to contact the police, adding: “There is no honour in staying silent. This awful violence has absolutely no place in our city.”
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.