Overview
- The Manchester incident, which occurred on Tuesday, June 9, injured two 14-year-old pupils and a 27-year-old teacher and has led to a 14-year-old girl being charged with three counts of attempted murder and two counts of possessing a bladed article on school premises.
- The defendant appeared by videolink at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, was remanded to youth detention and is due to next appear at the Old Bailey on June 19.
- Counter Terrorism Policing North West is leading the Manchester inquiry because of the case circumstances, though officials say it has not been declared a terrorist incident; the suspect was initially held under the Mental Health Act before being transferred to police custody.
- A separate daylight attack in Brierfield, Lancashire, on Friday, June 12, left a 17-year-old girl with a neck wound who has since been discharged from hospital and prompted the arrest of a 30-year-old man now held on suspicion of attempted murder with police saying there is currently no evidence of a racial motive.
- Police in both areas have appealed for witnesses and footage, increased patrols to reassure communities and are preparing for further legal and forensic steps that will be clearer after the Crown Court hearing and ongoing detective enquiries.