A 14-year-old girl is in custody after three people were injured in a stabbing incident at a school in north Manchester. Emergency services were called to Co-op Academy on Plant Hill Road in Blackley on Tuesday morning following reports of an attack.
Incident Details
Staff quickly detained the suspect to prevent further harm, and police arrived shortly after. The girl was arrested on suspicion of section 18 assault and remains in custody for questioning. Police have stated they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.
Injuries Sustained
The injured include a 14-year-old schoolgirl, a 14-year-old schoolboy, and a 27-year-old male staff member. All were taken to hospital, but their injuries are not believed to be serious, and they are in stable condition. The staff member is reportedly a science teacher who allegedly suffered a stab wound to the neck while trying to disarm the student.
Witness Accounts
One witness described the scene as terrifying, stating that the teacher attempted to take the knife from the girl but was stabbed in the neck. Another student reportedly screamed, "I've been stabbed, I've been stabbed" as she fled the classroom. Other teachers held the door shut to prevent the suspect from attacking more pupils until she dropped the knife.
A parent of a 14-year-old student expressed fear, saying, "It's very scary. The government needs to do more to stop knife crime."
Police Response
Chief Inspector Jon Shilvock reassured the community, stating, "We understand that this incident will have caused concern. The incident was swiftly dealt with by staff before officers arrested the girl. There is no wider threat." Officers will remain at the school to provide reassurance.
Police and ambulance crews were photographed at the scene, and a helicopter circled overhead. Pupils gathered outside the school gates as parents arrived to collect their children.
