Counter-terrorism officers have assumed control of investigations into a double stabbing at a north London secondary school after a 13-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
Two pupils aged 12 and 13 sustained serious injuries during the attack at Kingsbury High School on Bacon Lane, Brent, which occurred just after 12.30pm on Tuesday. Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams confirmed a weapon has been recovered and no additional suspects are being sought.
The senior officer stated that whilst counter-terror police are now leading the probe, a terrorist incident has not been declared. “At this very early stage, we’re keeping an open mind as to any motivation behind this attack. However, due to the surrounding circumstances, the investigation is now being led by officers from Counter-Terrorism Policing London,” he said.
One victim was taken to a major trauma centre as a priority, with both boys’ conditions described as serious. Detective Chief Superintendent Williams stated: “We await an update on how they are, though we understand their conditions to be serious.”
The London Ambulance Service dispatched extensive resources following the 12.41pm call, including ambulance crews, incident response officers, an advanced paramedic, a paramedic from the tactical response unit and a clinical team manager. A trauma team in a car from London’s Air Ambulance was also deployed to the scene.
Kingsbury High School was placed under immediate lockdown following the attack, with entry and exit to the site prohibited whilst emergency services responded. The academy’s website statement confirmed the situation was under control and that parents and carers of students involved had been contacted directly.
The school stated: “We want to make you aware that there has been a serious incident at Kingsbury High School today. We are working closely with the relevant authorities and following all necessary procedures.”
The leader of Brent Council commented it was “horrifying to think of how someone so young came to be in possession of a weapon capable of causing such harm.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Williams acknowledged the incident would 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,” he stated, adding: “Our thoughts are with the injured boys and I want to thank the paramedics and doctors who are providing them both with care.”
Police were initially called at 12.40pm on Tuesday following reports that a 13-year-old boy had been stabbed. Upon arrival, officers were informed of a second victim, a 12-year-old boy, who had also been stabbed during the incident at the Brent school.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed this is a fast-moving and developing investigation. The transfer of the case to Counter-Terrorism Policing London indicates authorities are examining whether the attack involved any ideological motivation, though officials emphasized they remain open-minded about the circumstances.
The 13-year-old suspect remains in custody whilst investigators work to establish the sequence of events that led to the double stabbing. Counter-terrorism officers will conduct detailed examinations of evidence including the recovered weapon, CCTV footage from the school, and witness statements from students and staff present during the attack.
Authorities have not disclosed the relationship between the arrested teenager and the two victims, nor whether all three attended Kingsbury High School. The investigation will examine potential motives and any planning that may have preceded the violent incident.
Police indicated they will provide further updates on the victims’ conditions and the investigation’s progress as information becomes available. The school site remained secured on Tuesday afternoon as forensic examinations continued.
