Mum of teen killed in school stabbing 'horrified' by Manchester school attack (original) (raw)

Caroline Willgoose, 51, said the school stabbings 'prove knife crime is a pandemic' - a year after her son Harvey's death

The mum of a 15-year-old boy stabbed to death at his school said she was "horrified" by news of the stabbings at Co-op Academy Manchester in Blackley.

Caroline Willgoose, 51, spoke out after two 14-year-old pupils and a 27-year-old male staff member were stabbed at the secondary school on Tuesday (June 9). Greater Manchester Police said a 14-year-old girl has been arrested on suspicion of assault.

Responding to the news of the incident, Caroline said it proves knife crime "is a pandemic". It comes a year after her son Harvey suffered two fatal stab wounds in the courtyard of All Saints Catholic High School in Sheffield, South Yorks.

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The heartbroken mum is campaigning for metal detecting arches to be installed in all schools to prevent knives being taken into classrooms, following Harvey's murder in February 2025. His killer, Mohammed Umar Khan, also 15, has been detained for life with a minimum term of 16 years.

She said: "How many times do students or teachers need to get injured before action is taken? The last thing I thought I would be doing was speaking about knife crime, as everyone thinks it is a gang-related thing.

"But Harvey's and today's again proves it isn't - it is a pandemic. Schools need knife arches. They should have gone into all schools as soon as what happened to Harvey.

"I urge parents to ask their children if they have seen or heard of someone having a knife while in school, and I am sure they will be surprised by what they have to say.

"Reading about school stabbings opens up old wounds for me. I feel sorry for pupils, teachers, going into school scared and parent's sending them in.

"Teachers at the school Harvey was killed feared for themselves. Why should teachers and pupils be going into school and not feeling safe?"

Caroline has been campaigning for knife arches to be implemented in schools across the country. She demands action by the government and school bodies to be taken to ensure the safety of pupils and staff during school time.

Caroline said: "It doesn't surprise me anymore to read about attacks in schools, if anything, I expect it now. When are the government and school bodies going to listen.

"The government need to step in now and take control of the situation. How sad is it that the pupil who killed Harvey is suffering in prison, I think he should be, but it is tragic.

"Children and teachers need to be shown the bigger picture and take it seriously."

It comes after officers were called to reports of a stabbing at the school on Tuesday morning. A teenage girl has since been taken into custody after being arrested on suspicion of section 18 assault, GMP confirmed.

Officers say three people - including a school boy and girl - were taken to hospital with injuries not believed to be serious. The Manchester Evening News understands that the male staff member was stabbed in the neck, while the young girl suffered knife injuries to her shoulderand the boy suffered injuries to his ear.

Chief Inspector Jon Shilvock said: "We understand that this incident will have cause concern to pupils, staff and the wider school community.

"The incident was swiftly and quickly dealt with by staff before officers attended to arrest the girl. There is believed to be no wider threat at this time, and we thank everyone for their support as emergency services dealt with this.

"We are not looking anyone further in connection this with this incident. Officers will remain at the school and within the area to provide a visible presence and community reassurance."