Boy, 15, dies after being stabbed near school as teenager arrested

'Whole community is stunned' says local MP

Local MP Stuart Andrew posted on social media: "The terrible news in Horsforth today is deeply shocking and distressing, and my heartfelt sympathy goes to the family of the victim.

"I cannot imagine how they will be feeling and my thoughts and prayers are with them at this dreadful time. I am also thinking about the pupils, teachers and staff at Horsforth school, who I know will be devastated.

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"The whole community will be stunned by this as the school is such a proud part of the town, which is a peaceful and welcoming place. I have been keeping in contact with the police and respect the need for them to carry out their investigations. I am sure we will all also want to give the family the space and peace they will need in the coming days and weeks."

Investigation is still at an early stage, says police

Senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Stacey Atkinson said: “Our investigation is at an early stage and we are carrying out extensive enquiries to establish exactly what led to this needless loss of a young man’s life.

“We understand the immense impact and huge shock a tragic incident of this nature will have on the community locally.

“Our neighbourhood police team are working with partners, including schools in the area to offer support and reassurance.

“We have already spoken to a number of witnesses and are keen to hear from anyone who has information about the incident.”

Parents tell of 'shock' after the primary school was put in 'lockdown'

Parents of told of encountering a "horrible" situation outside the primary school which had become a crime scene.

One person said: “It’s horrible. It’s shocking because it’s a nice area. You read about these things happening in London and you think it’s dangerous to be a teenager there, but you don’t think it would happen here. I just keep thinking about the parents. He probably went out this morning and they were expecting him to come home, and he’s not there.”

Another said: "Was sad seeing it all happen right outside of the primary school gates," and another agreed: "So scary picking up our little kids from primary school, it went into lockdown for an hour at home time."

'Children kept inside after stabbing'

A nearby resident told how the school kept children inside after the incident.

The woman who was picking her grandchild up when she saw the police cars and ambulance said: “I thought it was a car crash at first.

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“The school was very good, they messaged us to say they were keeping the children safe inside. I was very sad when I heard what had happened, it sounds like it’s a waste of two lives.”