Teenager Charged Over School Slashing

16 September 2017, 07:15 | Updated: 16 September 2017, 07:18

A teenager has been charged after a 14-year-old boy was slashed with a knife at a secondary school.

The boy was taken to St John's Hospital in Livingston for treatment to a serious facial injury following the attack, which happened at St St Kentigerns Academy in Blackburn shortly before 9am on Friday.

Police confirmed another teenage boy, aged 13, has now been charged in connection with the assault.

A report will be sent to the Children's Reporter and the Procurator Fiscal, officers said.

Superintendent Craig Smith, of Police Scotland, said: "Violent incidents of this nature are thankfully rare in West Lothian schools and we are continuing to work with West Lothian Council to reassure pupils and the wider community."

There will be a continued police presence at the school for the time being, with additional support in place for pupils when they return to school, he said.

Any pupils or parents with concerns are being urged to contact school staff or their local police station.

A spokesman for the local authority said earlier: "West Lothian Council makes the safety of the pupils in our care our top priority."

Hannah Bardell MP, the SNP representative for Livingston in West Lothian, said: "This is a serious but thankfully extremely rare incident.

"West Lothian Council and the police are working with the school and those involved and I will be seeking a meeting with them as a matter of urgency."