Britain11 June, 20262 min read
14-Year-Old Girl Charged With Three Counts Of Attempted Murder In Blackley School Knife Attack
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14-year-old girl charged with three counts of attempted murder over Blackley school knife attack Two 14-year-old pupils and a 27-year-old male staff member were stabbed
Manchester school stabbing
A 14-year-old girl was charged with three counts of attempted murder after a knife attack at the Co-op Academy on Plant Hill Road in Blackley, north Manchester, on Tuesday (June 9). Greater Manchester Police said a boy and a girl, both aged 14, and a male member of staff, 27, were injured, and the BBC said the incident happened at about 08:30 BST on Tuesday. The investigation was passed to Counter Terrorism Policing North West due to circumstances around the incident, but police said at this time it has not been declared a terrorist incident.
Following authorisation from the Crown Prosecution Service, the girl was charged on Thursday evening (June 11) and is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on Friday (June 12). Counter-terror police said the 14-year-old suspect was also charged with two counts of possessing a bladed article on school premises.
Detention and court
The 14-year-old girl was detained under the Mental Health Act after being arrested at the scene, and Sky News said she was sectioned for assessment in hospital as the investigation continues. Sky News also said the two 14-year-olds and the 27-year-old man were taken to hospital but were soon released as their injuries were not serious, while the BBC said the injured pupils and teacher have since been released from hospital with no serious injuries. Detective Chief Superintendent Jonathan Chadwick, head of Counter Terrorism Policing North West, said: "These are extremely serious charges against a young girl" and added that officers continue to support the victims and their families.
Chadwick said: "Although charges have now been secured, our investigation is still ongoing" as police continue to work with local policing colleagues in the Blackley area. The Independent reported that the girl was detained under the Mental Health Act after the incident and that the school placed itself in lockdown after the incident.
Ongoing investigation
Police said Counter Terrorism Policing North West took primacy for the investigation with the support of Greater Manchester Police, and Sky News said counter-terror detectives are keeping an open mind to the motivation of the attack. The BBC said the investigation has not been declared a terrorist incident at this time, while the Bolton News and The Bury Times both described the same position as charges were secured. Greater Manchester Police said the 14-year-old suspect had earlier been detained under the Mental Health Act before being released to police custody, and Sky News said the suspect is still in custody and is being checked by health workers.
Co-op Academy said the school was immediately placed under lockdown measures following the incident, and the BBC quoted a spokesperson saying: "We are incredibly proud of the swift actions of our staff and the mature response of our pupils." City of Manchester North Chief Inspector Jon Shilvock said the impact to those involved or witnesses "will be significant" and warned that names relating to the incident being circulated on social media are unhelpful for the investigation.