BREAKING: School girl, 11, taken to hospital following a stabbing before school in Manchester

An 11-year-old girl has been taken to hospital following a stabbing before school in north Manchester.

Police say a 12-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of assault following the incident on Chapel Lane near the Co-op Academy in Blackley on Monday morning. The victim suffered a 'small laceration to the top of her shoulder' and has since been discharged from hospital.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: "At around 8.30am this morning, police were called to a report of a stabbing on Chapel Lane, Blackley.

Read more: Two men arrested as 24-year-old remains in hospital after stabbing in town centre

"Officers attended and located an 11-year-old girl with a small laceration to the top of her shoulder. She was taken to hospital as a precaution and has since been discharged. A 12-year-old has since been arrested on suspicion of assault. Enquiries are on-going."

A police van was pictured outside the school on Plant Hill Road on Monday morning.

A North West Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "We have attended a police incident at the school following a call at 8.22am and have taken a female patient to hospital."

A spokesperson for the Co-op Academy said: "We can confirm an incident occurred off-site today before school this morning. All involved are being looked after and supported. As this is the subject of an on-going police investigation it would be inappropriate to comment further."

A message sent to parents by the school, which has been seen by the Manchester Evening News, said the incident had been 'dealt with quickly and appropriately'. It added: "We appreciate the concern from parents and carers and we have communicated as soon as we can after ensuring the safety of all students."

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