Two boys, aged 12 and 13, have been stabbed at a school in north-west London, and police are searching for a teenage suspect.
The Metropolitan police were called to the scene at Kingsbury high school in Bacon Lane, Brent at 12.40pm on Tuesday to reports that a 13-year-old boy was stabbed. When they arrived at the scene, officers found a 12-year-old boy who had also been stabbed.
One was taken to a major trauma centre as a priority, while the other was taken to hospital, London ambulance service said.
Officers have identified a teenage boy as a suspect and are urgently searching for him.
DCS Luke Williams, who leads policing in north-west London, said: “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.”
In a statement published on its website just after 2pm, Kingsbury high school 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.”
Bob Blackman, the MP for Harrow East, said he was “deeply shocked and saddened” by the stabbing. In a post on X, Blackman said: “Two boys have been stabbed, and my thoughts are with them, their families and the whole school community.
“I want to thank the emergency services for their rapid and professional response. I know this will shock our local community, and I am in close contact with the police and will continue to seek updates as they work to keep everyone safe.”
Muhammed Butt, leader of Brent council, described the incident as “deeply shocking and distressing”, and thanked emergency services and school staff for a “swift response”.
He added: “Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been injured, their families and the whole school community. 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.”
A London ambulance service spokesperson said: “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.”