Three people have suffered ‘knife wounds’ after a school stabbing in Manchester.
The Co–op Academy in Blackley was placed in lockdown and a 14–year–old girl was arrested following the ‘serious incident’ this morning.
Greater Manchester Police insist there is ‘no wider threat to pupils and staff in the school’.
The force confirmed a schoolgirl is being questioned on suspicion of assault after a boy and girl, both 14, were stabbed along with a 27–year–old male member of staff.
Chief Inspector Jon Shilvock said: ‘We understand that this incident will have cause concern to pupils, staff and the wider school community.
‘The incident was swiftly and quickly dealt with by staff before officers attending to arrest the girl. There is believed to be no wider threat at this time, and we thank everyone for their support as emergency services dealt with this.
‘We are not looking anyone further in connection this with this incident. Officers will remain at the school and within the area to provide a visible presence and community reassurance.’
Police and ambulance vehicles were pictured outside the gates and on the school grounds.
An emergency helicopter was also seen above the building as large crowds of pupils and parents gathered at the scene.
In a message to parents and carers, the school’s headteacher, Phill Quirk, confirmed the academy would be shut for the rest of the day.
Large crowds of pupils and parents gathered at the scene after three people were injured in a stabbing
Police and ambulance vehicles were pictured outside the gates and on the school grounds
Greater Manchester Police insist there is ‘no wider threat to pupils and staff in the school’
He said: ‘You will be aware that there has been an incident at Co–op Academy Manchester this morning.
‘We can confirm that everyone is safe and the incident has been contained.
‘However we have made the decision to close the school for the remainder of the day. We are speaking with parents and carers to obtain permission for children to leave.
‘If we haven’t yet spoken with you, please contact your child through their mobile phone or send an Arbor message.
‘Once a member of staff has seen and verified this permission, students will be allowed to leave the site.’
Co–op Academy Manchester is a non–selective, mixed secondary school on Plant Hill Road in the suburban area of Blackley.
Around 1,650 pupils attend the academy and it was rated Good in its most recent Ofsted inspection.
The school ‘chose’ to go into lockdown as the stabbing incident unfolded this morning, according to the Manchester Evening News.
Heavy traffic has been reported outside the building with students waiting to be collected.
Parents have voiced their concern on social media following the attack.
One mother, whose son was already on his way home when she received the news, said: ‘This is all so scary. Parents found nothing out from school, it was all from Facebook. My child should be enjoying the last few days in school and not worrying and being in lockdown.’
Another said she only received confirmation of the incident after arriving on site to collect her daughter.
One father, Malik Rehman, told the Manchester Evening News his son had witnessed the stabbing – saying it was a ‘frightening’ morning for his family.
‘I was at work and my wife got a text from the school’, he said, adding his son, a year nine people, was ‘luckily’ OK.
Co–op Academy Manchester has been contacted for further comment.
