A 13-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, with counter-terrorism officers now leading the investigation the stabbing of two teenage boys at a secondary school in north London.
The pupils, aged 12 and 13, were found injured at Kingsbury High School on Bacon Lane, Brent, just after 12.30pm.
Both victims were taken into care by the London Ambulance Service, with one taken to a major trauma centre as a priority, shortly after the academy went into lockdown.
Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, speaking in Brent, said the teenager had been detained and that a weapon had been recovered.
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He added: “This is a fast moving and developing investigation, but we're not currently looking for anyone else in relation to this incident.
"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."
Regarding the condition of the two victims, DCI Williams said: "We await an update on how they are, though we understand their conditions to be serious."
He added that, while counter-terror police are leading the probe, a terrorist incident has not been declared.
Counter-terror police are leading the investigation
|PA
Witnesses reported the attacker shouted “Allahu Akbar” before attacking the victims, according to the Daily Mail.
A statement on Kingsbury High School’s website said: “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 situation is now under control, and we have already spoken directly with the parents and carers of the students involved.
“We understand that this will be concerning. At present, it is not possible to enter or leave the school site while the response continues. We will provide further updates as soon as we are able to share confirmed information.”
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Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams briefed reporters at the school
|PA
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” .
A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police eartlier said: “Officers are responding to a stabbing at a school on Bacon Lane, Brent.
“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.
The force added that, while counter-terror police are leading the probe, a terrorist incident has not been declared
|PA
"They were both taken to hospital by the London Ambulance Service. We await an update on their condition."
The LAS added: “We were called at 12.41pm today (February 10) 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.
Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, who leads policing in north west London, added: "We recognise that this incident will cause considerable concern within the community.
The pupils were found injured at Kingsbury High School in Brent
|"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.
“We understand that this will be concerning. At present, it is not possible to enter or leave the school site while the response continues. We will provide further updates as soon as we are able to share confirmed information.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, who leads policing in north west London, added: "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."
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