Counter terrorism police investigate stabbing of two teenagers in London

A 13-year-old has been arrested for allegedly stabbing two teens at Kingsbury High School in London, with the city’s counter-terrorism unit now leading the investigation. Both victims, aged 12 and 13, remain in serious condition in hospital.

Catarina Demony/Reuters

11 February 2026 at 02:01:02

Counter terrorism police investigate stabbing of two teenagers in London

A sign stands at the scene of a stabbing incident that hospitalised two boys, aged 12 and 13, outside Kingsbury High School in London, Britain. The London police counter terrorism unit is investigating the incident, February 10, 2026.

Toby Shepheard/Reuters

London police said on Tuesday it arrested a 13-year-old on suspicion of attempted murder after he allegedly stabbed two other teenagers at a school, and that its counter terrorism unit was leading the investigation.

The incident occurred at Kingsbury High School in Brent, northwest London, earlier on Tuesday. Two boys, aged 12 and 13, were stabbed and taken to hospital, where they remain in serious condition.

The suspect, 13, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and remains in custody for questioning, said detective chief superintendent at the Metropolitan Police, Luke Williams.

"At this very early stage, we are keeping an open mind as to any motivation behind this attack," Williams said. "However, due to the surrounding circumstances, the investigation is now being led by officers from Counter Terrorism Policing London."

He added the incident has currently not been declared a "terrorist incident", and that the investigation team was working to gather evidence and determine the full circumstances.

The British government has been scrambling to tackle youth knife crime after teenager Axel Rudakubana attacked a Taylor Swift-themed children’s dance in Southport in 2024, killing three girls and stabbing 10 others.

-Catarina Demony/Reuters