The usually tranquil surroundings of Co-op Academy on Plant Hill Road in Manchester's Blackley area were shattered on Tuesday when a violent incident unfolded, leaving two pupils and a teacher injured. A 14-year-old girl was subsequently arrested on suspicion of assault, sparking a complex investigation that has now been handed over to counter-terrorism police.
According to Greater Manchester Police, the arrested girl underwent an assessment under the Mental Health Act before being released into police custody. Counter Terrorism Policing North West has since taken primacy for the inquiry, with ongoing support from Greater Manchester Police as they gather evidence and piece together the events leading up to the attack.
Searches related to the investigation are continuing, with detectives remaining cautious in their assessment of the motivations behind the incident. While officials have stressed that no terrorist threat has been confirmed, the involvement of counter-terrorism police underscores the gravity of the situation and the importance of a thorough probe.
The two 14-year-old pupils and 27-year-old teacher who were injured have all been discharged from hospital, fortunate to avoid prolonged hospitalisation. Despite this, the incident has left the community on edge, with Chief Superintendent David Meeney acknowledging that the update regarding counter-terrorism involvement may exacerbate local concerns.
Chief Superintendent Meeney has reassured residents that there is currently no information to suggest any further threat, and local officers remain present in the area to address any worries or queries.