UK police arrest 13-year-old over school stabbing

By Goli Innocent

UK police have arrested a 13-year-old boy following the stabbing of two students at a secondary school in north-west London, an incident that has reignited concerns over rising knife violence among teenagers.

The suspect was taken into custody hours after the attack at Kingsbury High School, which occurred shortly after midday on Tuesday, the Metropolitan Police confirmed.

The victims, aged 12 and 13, sustained serious injuries and were rushed to hospital. Police said the suspected weapon used in the attack has been recovered.

Speaking at the scene, Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams said the teenager was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and remains in custody for questioning.

“We are awaiting further updates on the condition of the victims, though we understand their injuries are serious,” Williams told reporters.

He said investigators were keeping an open mind on the motive behind the stabbing but confirmed that counter-terrorism officers had taken over the investigation due to the circumstances surrounding the incident.

“At this early stage, the incident has not been declared a terrorist attack, and we are not looking for any other suspects,” he added.

The involvement of counter-terrorism police, while precautionary, underscores the gravity with which authorities are treating the case.

Reacting to the incident, UK Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said she was “heartbroken” and confirmed that her ministry was working with the school and local council to support affected students and staff.

In a letter to parents, the school’s headteacher, Alex Thomas, described the stabbing as “deeply traumatic” for the entire school community, assuring families that the situation was under control. Parts of the school will remain closed on Wednesday.

Emergency services confirmed that two patients were treated at the scene, with one taken to hospital and the other transported as a priority case to a major trauma centre.

The UK particularly London has struggled for years with teenage knife crime, with teachers’ unions repeatedly warning of growing violence in and around schools. Just last week, a 15-year-old in Wales was charged with the attempted murder of a teacher following a knife attack.

For many parents, Tuesday’s stabbing is another reminder that school safety remains a pressing issue, one that authorities are under increasing pressure to confront.