A 13-year-old boy has been arrested following a stabbing incident at Kingsbury High School in north-west London that left two students seriously injured. Police have confirmed the attack is not being treated as an act of terrorism.
The suspect, a former pupil of the school, was taken into custody after members of the public reported seeing a child matching the description near a mosque several hours after the incident. Officers arrested the boy on suspicion of attempted murder, and he remains in police custody.
What Happened at the School
The incident occurred shortly after midday on Tuesday. According to police, the suspect arrived at the school around 12:30pm and made his way to a first-floor classroom. After the door was opened, he sprayed a liquid substance toward one pupil. The substance is believed to be harmless, and no injury was reported from the spray.
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Moments later, the suspect stabbed a 13-year-old boy inside the classroom before running through a corridor and down a staircase. A second victim, aged 12, was stabbed on the ground floor before the suspect fled the school grounds.
Both injured pupils were rushed to hospital and are currently in a stable condition. Medical staff say their injuries are no longer considered life-threatening.
Arrest and Police Response
Detective Chief Superintendent Helen Flanagan from Counter Terrorism Policing London said a large-scale search operation was launched immediately after the attack.
At approximately 4:15pm, police received a call from a member of the public expressing concern about a child seen near a mosque in north-west London. Officers responded swiftly and arrested the suspect shortly afterward.
Police stressed that the boy is not believed to have any connection to the mosque, describing his presence there as coincidental. Officers also praised members of the mosque community for their cooperation and support during the investigation.
Not Treated as Terrorism
Despite early concerns, authorities have confirmed that the incident has not been declared a terrorist attack. Investigators are currently leaning toward the possibility that the stabbing was driven by a personal dispute rather than extremist ideology.
Some pupils reported hearing religious phrases shouted during the incident, while others suggested the suspect had an ongoing disagreement with one of the victims. Police say all possible motives are being carefully examined.
The investigation remains under the oversight of counter-terrorism officers due to the seriousness of the attack, but officials say there is no indication of wider risk to the public. They have confirmed that the suspect acted alone and that no further arrests are expected.
Community Reaction
Between 30 and 40 witnesses, many of them young students, are being interviewed as part of what police describe as a highly sensitive investigation.
The school’s lower section remained closed on Wednesday as a precaution. Local councillor Kanta Mistry, who lives nearby, described the school as well-secured and said the incident had left the community deeply shaken.
“People are shocked and saddened. It’s difficult to comprehend something like this happening in such a quiet area,” she said.
Kingsbury High School headteacher Alex Thomas called the stabbing “a deeply traumatic event” in a message sent to parents and carers, adding that support services are being made available to students and staff.
National Response
Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the attack, describing it as “appalling,” and expressed sympathy for the injured children and their families. He also praised the police for their rapid response and urged the public to allow investigators the time and space needed to complete their work.
Police have increased patrols around the school and nearby transport hubs to reassure parents and residents. Authorities emphasized that the heightened presence is precautionary and not linked to any ongoing threat.
