Wales school stabbing – latest: Girl, 13, charged with three counts of attempted murder
Police and ambulance called out to Amman Valley School in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire
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A 13-year-old girl has been charged with three counts of attempted murder, after two teachers and a pupil were stabbed at a secondary school in Wales.
The three people injured in the attack at Amman Valley School in Carmarthenshire on Wednesday morning have now left hospital, where they were treated for knife wounds.
Two air ambulances were sent to the school, also known as Ysgol Dyffryn Aman, as emergency services swarmed the scene.
Parents waited for several hours at the gates of the school, which was “in lockdown”, before tearfully being reunited with their children as the school day ended.
The teachers injured are reported to be Fiona Elias, the deputy head, and Liz Hopkin, a special-needs teacher. In a statement on the school website, headteacher James Durbridge praised staff and pupils for their “calm and mature response” to the lockdown.
Plaid Cymru’s Adam Price – a former pupil at the school – described it as a “centre point for the whole community” and said pupils and families have been “shocked and shaken”.
Girl, 13, charged with three counts of attempted murder
A 13-year-old girl has been charged with three counts of attempted murder after two teachers and a teenage pupil were stabbed at Amman Valley School in Wales, Dyfed-Powys Police said.
‘Violent crime has reduced in UK’, says Cleverly in wake of Wales school stabbing
No 10 praises bravery of those caught up in Ammanford stabbing
Downing Street has praised the bravery of those caught up in the stabbing in Ammanford.
Rishi Sunak’s official spokesperson told reporters: “The prime minister did respond to this yesterday and he was obviously shocked by the news and his thoughts are with those affected, including the head of Year 7 Fiona Elias who was injured during the incident.
“The prime minister also would like to reiterate head teacher James Durbridge’s praise for staff and students for responding so calmly, and in some instances bravely, to the school going into lockdown in what would have been an incredibly alarming circumstance and he would like to thank the police and the emergency services for their response too.”
Teenage boy arrested on suspicion of making threats referencing school knife attack
A teenage boy is in custody after being arrested on suspicion of making threats referencing the knife attack at a school in South Wales.
Two teachers were injured alongside a pupil during the attack at Amman Valley School in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, on Wednesday morning.
A teenage girl was arrested following the attack and remains in police custody.
A boy from the Cross Hands area - about six miles from the school - was also arrested following reports about threatening messages being sent on social media on Thursday morning.
Superintendent Ross Evans said: “We would like to thank the many members of the public who reported concerns around messages they had seen online. This allowed us to take swift action in executing a warrant and arresting a suspect.
“While this investigation is being run separately to our inquiries into the major incident at Ysgol Dyffryn Amman yesterday, our officers will be seeking to establish both the credibility of the threats and whether there was any connection between the alleged offences.
“Again, I would urge people not to speculate, not to share any images or videos relating to either investigation, and to allow us to carry out our enquiries fully.
“If you, or your children, are distressed by these events, please seek support from an appropriate agency.”
Three injured sent home from hospital
The two teachers and a pupil who were hurt in a stabbing at a school in south Wales have been discharged from hospital, police say.
The teachers injured are reported to be Fiona Elias, the deputy head, and Liz Hopkin, a special-needs teacher.
A Dyfed-Powys Police spokeswoman confirmed on Thursday that the victims have now been discharged.
Headteacher praises ‘calm and mature response’ of pupils and staff
In a statement on the school website, headteacher James Durbridge praised staff and pupils for their “calm and mature response” to the lockdown.
“Today has been a very difficult day for us as all as in the school. It goes without saying that my thoughts are with the three individuals and their families, who have been affected by today’s incident.
“In the immediate aftermath of the incident, our priority was to ensure the security of pupils and staff whilst managing the situation and communicating with those directly impacted. Working with the police we issued communication as soon as feasibly possible.
“To support Dyfed Powys Police, the school will be closed tomorrow to all pupils and staff in order for officers to further carry out their investigations.
“Although the school will be closed, I want to reassure pupils, parents and staff that wellbeing support is available to anyone who has been affected.”
He added: “On a final note, I wish to commend all staff and pupils for their calm and mature response during today’s lockdown. We are proud to have witnessed pupils embodying the school’s core values while supporting their peers and staff.”
Latest update from Carmarthenshire Police
Police remain at Ysgol Dyffryn Amman today, following an incident yesterday in which three people were injured. Officers will be at the school throughout the day as the CID-led investigation progresses.
A teenage girl remains in custody after being arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
Two teachers and a teenage pupil were taken to hospital with stab wounds, which were not life-threatening.All three have now been discharged.
Carmarthenshire Superintendent Ross Evans said: “As can be expected with an incident as serious as this, there will continue to be a police presence at the school throughout the day today.
“Officers at the scene will be looking for evidence to assist the investigation, while other specialist teams will analyse any information submitted through our dedicated web page.
“We understand the level of concern in the community as people try to process the incident. We urge anyone affected by yesterday’s events to seek support, and not to share any videos, photos or information that might cause further distress to pupils or parents at the school.
“We continue to work with Carmarthenshire County Council and other agencies as they provide support to those affected by yesterday’s events.”
Teacher ‘seriously hurt’ in stabbing attack
A teacher stabbed in the neck during the attack at a Welsh secondary school is “seriously hurt” but has been sent home to recuperate.
Liz Hopkin, 53, a special needs teacher at Amman Valley School in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, was attacked and stabbed four times. A female pupil has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
Ms Hopkin’s husband, John, told The Times: “She’s quite seriously hurt but she will recover.
“She’s come home — once they stitched her up they said there’s no point in keeping her in hospital.”
Pictured: Deputy head and special needs teacher who were victims of knife attack
Fiona Elias was taken to hospital alongside another teacher and a female pupil after a fight broke out on the playground of Ysgol Dyffryn Aman in Carmarthenshire at the end of the morning break.
The other teacher injured in the attack has been reported to be Liz Hawkin, a special needs learning teacher.
Questions will have to be raised about security in all schools, says Senedd member
Senedd member Cefin Campbell, who represents Mid and West Wales for Plaid Cymru, said there would be questions asked about security in schools.
“There’s been high praise for the way that the school and the emergency services have dealt with the situation,” he told BBC Radio Wales.
“But inevitably questions will have to be raised in the Senedd about security in all schools in Wales.
“Let’s hope it’s a one off, but you just don’t know the way the society has changed. We have to ask questions about the way we move forward.
“We certainly don’t want to go down the route of America but there are parts of the UK where bags are checked every day, there’s metal detectors, as well as random checks by police.
“None of us want to go down that road but we’ve just obviously got to ask questions. What lessons can we learn from this?”
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