Police have arrested a 13-year-old on suspicion of attempted murder after two boys, one 12 and one 13, were stabbed at a school in Brent, northwest London.
Both the injured boys are in a serious condition and receiving urgent care, said Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, who leads policing in the area.
Officers from Counter-Terrorism Policing London are investigating the stabbings but they have not been declared a terrorist incident, he said.
Police were called to Kingsbury High School in Bacon Lane at 12.40pm on Tuesday to reports that a 13-year-old boy had been stabbed. There, they also found a 12-year-old boy had been stabbed.
The London Ambulance Service said one boy was taken to a major trauma centre, and the other to hospital.
Mr Williams said: “The suspect, who we believe to be 13, left the scene following the stabbing.
“After urgent inquiries, our officers arrested him and also recovered a weapon which we believe to have been used in the stabbing.
“The suspect was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and remains in custody for questioning by our officers.”
Key Points
- Suspect, 13, arrested
- Victims aged 12 and 13 in serious condition
- Counter-terrorism officers investigating
- Victim taken to major trauma centre
- Headteacher says attack was 'deeply traumatic'
- My thoughts and prayers are with victims, says home secretary
London mayor urges people with information to tell police
21:20 , Jane DaltonMayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan said there was “no honour in staying silent”, urging anyone with information to contact the police.
Sir Sadiq said: "My thoughts are with the family, friends and wider community in Brent following the appalling stabbings today. This awful violence has absolutely no place in our city.
"A suspect has been arrested and I am in close contact with the Met as they investigate this terrible incident.
“The investigation is in its early stages and it's right the police are investigating every possible element.
"The Met have deployed significant resources to the area and I urge anyone with information to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. There is no honour in staying silent.”
Children traumatised, says dad
21:00 , Jane DaltonA father of a pupil at Kingsbury High School said children who saw the stabbings had been traumatised.
Pupils, some of whom were in tears, and parents were spoken to by police hours after the end of the school day.
One father, whose child in year eight had been kept in the school as a potential witness, said: "They're holding up the kids who were in the class."
The man, who did not want to be identified, added: "Obviously, they must be traumatised by what happened in front of them."
Home secretary thanks police
20:45 , Jane DaltonHome secretary Shabana Mahmood says her thoughts and prayers are with two children stabbed in the "shocking attack".
She posted: "My thoughts and my prayers are with them, their families and all those affected.
"The police have arrested the suspect, and I would like to thank them for their rapid work in doing so. We must now give them the space to pursue their investigation."
A shocking attack at Kingsbury High School, where two children have been stabbed. My thoughts and my prayers are with them, their families and all those affected.
— Shabana Mahmood MP (@ShabanaMahmood) February 10, 2026
The police have arrested the suspect, and I would like to thank them for their rapid work in doing so. We must now…
Watch: Police reveal teenage suspect under arrest
20:30 , Jane DaltonEducation secretary 'heartbroken'
20:16 , Jane DaltonThe education secretary says she is "heartbroken" about the stabbings at Kingsbury High School in Brent.
Bridget Phillipson wrote: "My heart goes out to the families affected and the young people, teachers & school community at this awful time.
"We are in contact with the school and council to offer support. Investigations are now underway."
I am heartbroken to hear about the stabbings at a school in Brent.
— Bridget Phillipson (@bphillipsonMP) February 10, 2026
My heart goes out to the families affected and the young people, teachers & school community at this awful time.
We are in contact with the school and council to offer support. Investigations are now underway.
Headteacher says attack was 'deeply traumatic'
20:00 , Jane DaltonThe headteacher of Kingsbury High School, where two boys were stabbed, says it was "a deeply traumatic event for the whole school community".
In a letter to parents and carers, Alex Thomas said: "I am very sorry to inform you that there was a serious incident at school today in which two students were stabbed. Our thoughts and best wishes are with our students and their families at this incredibly difficult time.
"We would also like to thank the emergency services for their swift response and our staff for the calm and dedicated way they supported students throughout the day.
“Students in the Lower School were kept in the playground at the request of the police while they began their investigations, they were incredibly patient and respectful of others during this time."
He said the Lower School would be closed on Wednesday and pupils should stay at home but the Upper School would be open for students in Years 10-13.
"I fully appreciate that this will be very upsetting news to hear and, as you can imagine, this has been a deeply traumatic event for the whole school community," he continued.
"The situation is under control, but a live investigation is taking place.
“We are working closely with the authorities and I will provide further updates as soon as I am able to share confirmed information. Please keep the students and their families in your thoughts."
MP 'deeply shocked and saddened'
19:40 , Jane DaltonThe MP for Harrow East says he is "deeply shocked and saddened" over the stabbings.
Bob Blackman wrote on social media: "I am deeply shocked and saddened to hear the dreadful news of the stabbing at Kingsbury High School this afternoon.
"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."
Police have 'open mind' on motive
19:18 , Jane DaltonPolice do not yet have firm theories about why the attacker stabbed two boys at the school in Brent.
"At this very early stage, we are keeping an open mind as to any motivation behind this attack,” said Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams.
“However, due to the surrounding circumstances, the investigation is now being led by officers from Counter Terrorism Policing London, who are working closely with our local officers in response to this incident.
"This has not currently been declared a terrorist incident and the investigation team will now be working at pace to gather any evidence and to establish the full circumstances of what has happened as quickly as possible."
Police find weapon
19:08 , Jane DaltonDetectives found the weapon they believe was used in the double stabbing.
Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams said: "The suspect - who we believe to be 13 - left the scene following the stabbing.
"After urgent enquiries our officers arrested him and also recovered a weapon which we believe to have been used in the stabbing.
"The suspect was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and remains in custody for questioning by our officers.
"This is a fast-moving and developing investigation, but we are not currently looking for anyone else in relation to this incident.”
Local people must be reassured by arrest, says police chief
18:56 , Jane DaltonDetective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams said: “I absolutely recognise that this incident will cause considerable concern, especially among the local community, students and parents of the school.
“I hope the news that we've arrested and detained the suspect will provide some reassurance that our officers will remain in the area to offer support and answer any questions.
“We'd encourage anyone with concerns or further information to speak with them.”
Wounded boys in serious condition
18:41 , Jane DaltonBoth injured boys are in a serious condition and receiving urgent care, said Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams.
"We await an update on how they are, though we understand their conditions to be serious,'' he said in a statement.
"The thoughts of everyone at the Met are with them and their loved ones, and we want to thank the doctors and nurses who are providing the boys with urgent care.''
Counter-terror officers investigating
18:35 , Jane DaltonOfficers from Counter-Terrorism Policing London are investigating the stabbings and working closely with local officers, said Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, who leads policing in northwest London.
“The investigation has not currently been declared a terrorist incident, and the investigation team will now be working at pace to gather any evidence and establish the full circumstances of what has happened as quickly as possible,” he said.
Suspect, 13, arrested
18:16 , Jane DaltonPolice have arrested a 13-year-old suspect on suspicion of attempted murder and he is in custody following the double stabbings, said Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, who leads policing in north west London.
Counterterrorism policing in London have taken over the investigation, Mr Williams said.
The stabbings have not been declared a terrorist incident.
But he said officers will be working at pace to find out what happened.
In pictures: Police at school after dark
18:10 , Jane Dalton
Horrifying that teenager had weapon, says council leader
17:41 , Jane DaltonThe leader of Brent Council says it is horrifying “to think of how someone so young came to be in possession of a weapon capable of causing such harm" after two boys were stabbed at Kingsbury High School.
Councillor Muhammed Butt said: "This is a deeply shocking and distressing incident, and 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.
"I want to thank the emergency services and school staff for their swift response.
“We will remain in close contact with the Metropolitan Police, and Brent Council will offer our full and unlimited support to the staff, pupils and families affected."
Recap: Suspected attacker on the run
17:21 , Jane DaltonThe teenaged suspected attacker of two school pupils in Brent, northwest London, is on the run.
One boy was taken to hospital, another to a major trauma centre.
Parents have been told.
George Michael was school alumnus
17:07 , Jane DaltonPop star George Michael and jazz musician Courtney Pine both attended Kingsbury High School.
The school is an academy for children aged 11 to 18, with both upper and lower sites.
According to the latest Department for Education information, it has 1,997 pupils.
It traces its origins to Kingsbury County School, which opened in 1925 in a building that had been the office of the former Aircraft Manufacturing Company. It moved premises in 1932.
Other alumni include Floyd Steadman, the first black captain of the Saracens rugby team, and writer Ekow Eshun.
Police cordon off area near stab site
16:37 , Jane DaltonPolice cordoned off an area near Roe Green Park next to Kingsbury High School, and a helicopter is hovering the area, the Barnet Borough Times reports.
Worried parents gather outside school
16:34 , Jane DaltonParents were crowded outside the entrance of Kingsbury High School, Lower School, following the double stabbing, the Barnet Borough Times reports.
The mother of a Year 8 pupil said: "I've been panicking - a lot of kids don't have their phones on them so I couldn't get through.
"They had to leave their bags and stuff.
"At least I have her now. It's awful - so awful - what happened, that someone would even bring a knife to a school.
"My daughter said at a fire alarm went off when it happened."
Police 'doing everything to find suspect'
16:28 , Jane DaltonDetective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, who leads policing in northwest London, said officers recognised that the attack would cause considerable concern in the community but that the force had deployed significant resources to the area and was doing everything it could to trace 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,” he said.
Teachers spoke to parents and carers
16:25 , Jane DaltonSchool leaders said they had spoken directly to the parents and carers of the pupils involved.
A statement on Kingsbury High School's website 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."
One victim taken to major trauma centre
16:22 , Jane DaltonOne of the boys stabbed at a school in northwest London was taken to a major trauma centre as a priority, the London Ambulance Service say.
A spokesperson said: "We were called at 12.41pm today to reports of a stabbing on Bacon Lane, NW9.
"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.
"We treated two patients in total. We took one patient to hospital and the other as a priority to a major trauma centre."
Hunt launched for stabbing suspect
16:20 , Jane DaltonPolice say they have identified a teenage boy suspected of stabbing the two school pupils, and are urgently hunting for him.
They said they would provide further updates when possible.
Boys aged 12 and 13 stabbed
16:14 , Jane DaltonPolice called to the scene at Kingsbury High School in Bacon Lane to reports that a 13-year-old boy was stabbed.
At the scene, officers found a 12-year-old boy who had also been stabbed.
