Teenage girl arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after stabbings at school
A teenage girl has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after two teachers and a pupil were stabbed at a school in West Wales.
Police confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that three people were injured at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman school and are being treated for stab wounds.
Their injuries are not life-threatening, police have said.
Dyfed-Powys Police say the incident happened at about 11.20am on Wednesday morning.
The force confirmed the school was put into lockdown “for the safety of all on the premises”.
Pupils were released from the school at around 3.20pm, with hundreds of parents gathered outside to collect them.
The teenage girl is currently in police custody and a knife has been recovered in evidence, police said in an update at the scene.
The comprehensive school in the town of Ammanford in Carmarthenshire has over 2,000 pupils between the ages of 11 and 18.
Ammanford in Carmarthenshire
The school had been in lockdown since about 11am, with pupils told to stay in their classrooms.
Hundreds of parents were assembled outside the school by 3pm, waiting to collect their children from the school.
Rachel Young, a parent at the school, told Sky News her daughter and other pupils had been “locked” in the classroom.
“She’s scared obviously. She says she’s fine, but they all say ‘I’m fine’ but they’re obviously not going to be and what’s going to happen from now on, I don’t know. We don’t even know if the school’s going to be open,” she said.
“I wanted to get here. I rang the school and they said they’re not allowing anyone in or anyone out, but they couldn’t really comment any further than that.”
A spokesperson for Ysgol Dyffryn Aman said the family members of the injured have been informed.
“We would like to reassure parents and the public that the incident has been contained,” they added.
Dyfed-Powys Police said it was aware that footage of the incident was “circulating on social media”.
“We would ask that this is removed to avoid contempt of court and distress to those affected,” a spokesperson said.
Police have also asked people not to speculate as the investigation is ongoing.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed his “shock” at the news.
‘Close and welcoming community’
In the Senedd, Lee Waters, a former pupil of the school who represents Llanelli, asked an emergency question on the incident.
“Ammanford is a close and welcoming community,” he said.
“I think the fact now that this is happening in the social media age adds further distress to it.”
Lynne Neagle, Wales’s education secretary told Senedd members it was “very important” to let the police undertake their investigation.
“They were very clear with myself and the First Minister earlier that lots of speculation is not helpful,” she said.
“We need to let them do their job at the same time as making sure that we support the school and the community through this very difficult period.”
Police and fore nsic investigators at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman. Pic: PA
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Superintendent Ross Evans, Carmarthenshire Commander, said police were working with the school and other agencies to ensure “appropriate support is available to all involved”.
“This was a very distressing incident and our thoughts are with the victims, their families and everyone impacted by what has happened,” he added.
“Local people will see more police in the area over the coming days as the investigation continues.”
‘Shocking incident’
Leader of Carmarthenshire County Council, Darren Price, praised the teachers, staff and pupils of Ysgol Dyffryn Aman “for the way they’ve responded to this shocking incident”.
“As a council, our priority now is to do all that we can over the coming days and weeks to support the pupils and staff in the aftermath,” he said.
“Today’s events have come as a grave shock to the school community, to Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, and further afield.
“To support Dyfed-Powys Police, Ysgol Dyffryn Amann will be closed tomorrow (Thursday) 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 well-being support is available to anyone who has been affected. The school will continue its lessons online.”
Anyone with information that could help officers with their investigation is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police.
The UK has joined US forces in attacking a Houthi target in Yemen for the first time since Donald Trump was re-elected.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed the strikes took place on Tuesday as part of the government’s response to Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
The ministry said careful intelligence analysis identified a cluster of buildings used by the Houthis to manufacture the sort of drones used to attack ships, located 15 miles south of the capital Sanaa.
RAF Typhoon FGR4s conducted strikes on several buildings using Paveway IV precision-guided bombs.
The planes had air refuelling support from Voyager tankers.
The ministry said the strike was conducted after dark to reduce the likelihood of civilians being in the area.
All the aircraft returned safely.
John Healey. Pic: Reuters
Defence Secretary John Healey said: “This government will always act in the interests of our national and economic security.
“Royal Air Force Typhoons have successfully conducted strikes against a Houthi military target in Yemen and all UK aircraft and personnel have returned safely to base.
“We conducted these strikes, supported by the US, to degrade Houthi capabilities and prevent further attacks against UK and international shipping.”
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Houthis a ‘persistent threat’ to ‘freedom of navigation’
Mr Healey said Houthi activities in the Red Sea are a “persistent threat” to “freedom of navigation”.
“A 55% drop in shipping through the Red Sea has already cost billions, fuelling regional instability and risking economic security for families in the UK,” he said.
“The government is steadfast in our commitment to reinforcing global stability and protecting British working people. I am proud of the dedication and professionalism shown by the service men and women involved in this operation.”
Listen to The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim every Wednesday
US intensifies strikes on Houthis
It was the first time UK forces have struck a target in Yemen since May last year, the ministry confirmed.
The US has intensified its strikes on the Iran-backed Houthis under Mr Trump’s presidency, after his re-election in November 2024.
The group began launching attacks on shipping routes in November 2023 saying they were in solidarity with Palestinians over Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza.
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Footage showing people being pulled from rubble has been released by Houthi rebels in Yemen
The strike came after a Houthi-controlled TV channel claimed a US strike killed 68 people at a detention centre for African migrants in Yemen on Monday.
UK
No criminal charges over death of ice hockey player Adam Johnson whose neck was cut by opponent’s skate
No criminal charges will be brought over the death of an ice hockey player who died during a match in Sheffield, prosecutors have announced.
Nottingham Panthers’ Adam Johnson died in October 2023 after his neck was cut by an opposition player’s skate during a match at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena.
The Sheffield Steelers player, Matthew Petgrave, was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and later bailed – but the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has now said it will not bring criminal charges against the Canadian.
Michael Quinn, deputy chief crown prosecutor, said: “This was a shocking and deeply upsetting incident. The CPS and South Yorkshire Police have worked closely together to determine whether any criminal charges should be brought against the other ice hockey player involved.
“Following a thorough police investigation and a comprehensive review of all the evidence by the CPS, we have concluded that there is not a realistic prospect of conviction for any criminal offence and so there will not be a prosecution.
“Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Adam Johnson.”
Tributes were left outside the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham following the ice hockey player’s death. Pic PA
Before joining Nottingham Panthers, the Minnesota-born Johnson played in Pennsylvania for the Pittsburgh Penguins, and Sweden for the Malmo Redhawks.
He also played in California for Ontario Reign and in Germany for Augsburger Panther.
A post-mortem examination confirmed the 29-year-old died as a result of the fatal neck injury.
The crowd of 8,000 spectators watched in horror as desperate attempts were made to save his life as he lay on the ice, shielded by fellow players.
The game was abandoned and spectators were asked to leave in the aftermath.
Pic PA
Kari Johnson, Johnson’s aunt, was watching the match via a livestream with his father and grandmother when he was fatally injured.
Speaking to Sky News at the time, Ms Johnson said: “It was a mess, it was a nightmare, it was like it wasn’t real. We were in shock, we couldn’t believe this was happening.”
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Kari Johnson said her nephew was ‘a kind soul’
Ms Johnson described her nephew as a “kind soul” and a “private kid” who “never would have wanted to be in the limelight like this”.
He simply wanted to be “good at hockey and have fun”, she said, adding he was “having the time of his life in the UK” and was planning to get engaged to his girlfriend.
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In January 2024, Sheffield’s senior coroner, Tanyka Rawden, suspended her investigation while the police inquiry took its course.
It later emerged that Ms Rawden had issued a Prevention of Future Deaths Report to Ice Hockey UK and the English Ice Hockey Association (EIHA) about the use of neck guards in the sport.
In the report, Ms Rawden said she was “sufficiently concerned that deaths may occur in the future if neck guards or protectors are not worn”, with the bodies given 56 days to say what action had been taken – or why action had not been taken.
Neck guards have been mandatory in the Elite League (EIHL), in which the Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers compete, since January 2024.
This followed the International Ice Hockey Federation’s decision in December to mandate the use of neck laceration protectors for its competitions.
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