17-year-old boy held on suspicion of attempted murder after school attack
Image source, BBC / Simon Thake
Image caption, A 17-year-old boy is being held in custody on suspicion of attempted murder
By Oliver Wright & Simon Thake
BBC News
A 17-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after three people were injured in an attack at a school in Sheffield.
Two adults and a child were treated at the scene for minor injuries following the incident at Birley Academy.
In a statement the school said it had been put into lockdown, before adding that all staff and students were safe.
South Yorkshire Police said it was called reports of an incident involving a “sharp object” at about 08:50 BST.
A police spokesperson said: “A 17-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and remains in police custody.
“Police will remain at the scene throughout the day to provide assurances to those in the school and the local community.”
A Birley Academy spokesperson said the building had been locked down following an “incident” and that the decision had since been taken to close the school.
They said: “The safety of students and staff is paramount and all students and staff are safe.
“We would like to praise our staff for their professionalism and our students for the way they responded. We continue to work closely with the police.”
As news of the incident broke, crowds of parents gathered outside the Birley Lane school until pupils were allowed to leave the site at about 11:00 BST.
Image source, BBC / Simon Thake
Image caption, A number of parents said they had received messages from their children to say they were hiding under their desks
Speaking at the scene, Sophie Jones said she had received a text message from her daughter saying the school was “in lockdown, the lights had gone off, the doors were locked and she was hiding under her desk”.
“It was really scary. I asked if she was joking because it seemed a really surreal situation.
“She has told me she was OK since then and I’m quite reassured that she is safe.”
Image source, BBC / Simon Thake
Image caption, Police were called to Birley Academy at about 08:50 BST on Wednesday
At the scene: Simon Thake, BBC Yorkshire
About 100 parents had gathered at the school gates here at Birley Academy in Sheffield this morning.
They initially received an email reassuring that pupils were safe and the headteacher has since come to the school gates to speak to worried parents.
What we now know is that pupils are being released, form by form.
Nathan Henderson said he had rushed to the school after his daughter had messaged to say she was “under a table crying”.
“I was a bit overwhelmed [when I got here] so I nearly climbed over the gates at one point,” he said.
He said he initially there had been a lot of “conflicting information” and rumours “flying about” but that he had been reassured that she was safe.
‘Always worry’
Another woman at the scene said she had come straight from work after being alerted by her son.
“He said ‘if you know what’s happening or have seen on social media just know I’m safe, there’s been a lockdown’,” she said.
“I will feel better once I see him, in these circumstances you are always going to worry even with the school telling you that your child is fine.”
One parent thanked the school for protecting the children, saying: “At the end of the day they have kept them safe as much as they could.”
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