Council Issues Update After School Stabbing Incident

A small Carmarthenshire community is in shock after two teachers and a pupil were stabbed in an incident at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman in Ammanford yesterday.

Reports indicate that a third teacher was able to bravely wrestle the knife from the female teenage pupil.   Air ambulances attended the scene and the victims were taken to hospital.  In a later statement, Dyfed Powys confirmed none of their injuries were life threatening, and that a teenage girl had been charged with attempted murder.

A spokesman for Carmarthenshire Council said last night:

“Today’s events have come as a grave shock to the community of Ysgol Dyffryn Aman and Carmarthenshire County Council. Our thoughts and are with the three injured individuals and their families.

“We are assisting Dyfed Powys Police with their investigation and, as such, we can confirm Ysgol Dyffryn Aman will be closed tomorrow, Thursday 25 April, to all pupils and staff in order for Dyfed Powys Police to carry out their investigation.

“Whilst the school will be closed tomorrow, online lessons will be available to pupils and wellbeing support will be made available to all pupils and staff that have been affected by today’s events.

“Carmarthenshire County Council would like to take this opportunity to reiterate Dyfed Powys Police’s request that social media footage relating to the incident is removed to avoid contempt of court and distress to those affected. We also ask people to not speculate whilst there is a police investigation ongoing.

“Anyone with information that could help officers with their investigation is asked to report it to Dyfed-Powys Police through their dedicated Public Portal.“

Teachers’ union NASUWT issued a statement saying “no teacher should have to fear being assaulted at work” following the incident.  The union’s general secretary, Dr Patrick Roach, said:

“It is extremely distressing to learn that an attack has taken place at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman. Schools should be places of safety and sanctuary, and it will be of the utmost concern for every teacher whenever that sense of safety and security has been broken. No teacher should have to fear being assaulted at work, and everything that can be done must be done to ensure the safety of staff and pupils. Staff and pupils at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman will be very much in our thoughts at this difficult time.”

Council Leader, Cllr. Darren Price said: “On behalf of Carmarthenshire County Council I would like to extend my heartfelt sympathies to all affected by today’s incident and in particular to the three individuals who have been injured. My thoughts are with them and their families during this difficult time.

“I would like to take this opportunity to praise the teachers, staff and pupils at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman for the way they have 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.

“Today’s events have come as a grave shock to the school community, Ammanford, Carmarthenshire and further afield.

“To support Dyfed Powys Police, Ysgol Dyffryn Aman will be closed tomorrow 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 wellbeing support is available to anyone who has been affected. The school will continue its lessons online.

I would like to reiterate Dyfed Powys Police’s request that social media footage relating to the incident is removed to avoid contempt of court and distress to those affected. We also ask people not to speculate whilst the investigation is ongoing.”

Police confirmed in a statement that one person had been arrested and they were not looking for anyone else in relation to the incident.