Incident at Co-op Academy in Blackley
A schoolgirl was arrested following a stabbing incident at the Co-op academy in Blackley, Manchester, where three individuals sustained injuries.
On Tuesday morning, students were placed in lockdown and instructed to remain in their classrooms as emergency services responded to the situation.
Police Response and Injuries
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed the arrest of a girl at the scene. The injuries reported were consistent with stab wounds but were described as "non-serious."
“Officers are currently responding to an incident at a school [in] Blackley where a schoolgirl has been arrested. Three people have been injured however injuries aren’t believed to be serious at this time.
“Emergency services remain on scene and we are supporting the school. There is not believed to be any wider threat to the pupils and staff in the school.”
Community Reaction
Within an hour of the stabbing, a large crowd comprising students, parents, and passersby gathered outside the school premises.
Several parents reported receiving no direct communication from the school and had to rely on messages and calls from their children, who were confined to their classrooms, to understand what had occurred.
One parent described the situation upon arrival as "chaos" and noted that no detailed information had been provided to them.
School Communication
In a message addressed to parents, the school acknowledged that an "incident" had taken place but reassured that all individuals were safe.
“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.”
