Teenager arrested after Harvey Willgoose stabbed at All Saints Catholic High School in Sheffield on Monday
A 15-year-old boy has died after a stabbing at a school in Sheffield.
Harvey Willgoose was stabbed at All Saints Catholic High School on Granville Road on Monday and taken to hospital, but died of his injuries. South Yorkshire Police said a 15-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder. The force received a report of the stabbing at 12.17pm, and officers and emergency services attended the school.
Speaking outside the force’s headquarters, Asst Chief Constable Lindsey Butterfield said: “It is with great sadness that I share with you today that a teenager has died following the stabbing at a Sheffield school earlier today.
“Our thoughts are with the family of the boy, his friends and the whole school community.
“At 12.17pm, emergency services were called to All Saints Catholic High School on Granville Road. The victim, a 15-year-old boy, suffered serious injuries and, despite the best efforts of the ambulance service, he sadly died a short time later.
“A 15-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder, and remains in our custody at this time.”
Schoolboy was ‘always smiling’
Asst Chief Constable Butterfield added: “We know that what has happened will cause significant distress and concern. I would like to reassure you that our officers will remain on scene and in the local area to offer reassurance to parents, staff and local residents as our investigation continues.
“Although we are in the early stages of our inquiries, we are working at pace to build a full picture of how this tragedy has unfolded. We urge you to be mindful that there are loved ones at the centre of this and they are grieving the profound loss of a teenage boy in the most devastating of circumstances.
“We would therefore ask you to avoid speculation and the sharing of online content that could be distressing to them and detrimental to our investigation. We urge anyone with any information that they believe can assist us to get in touch.”
One woman, who declined to give her name, said: “He went to school this morning and he has not come home.”
She added that Harvey “always seemed to have a smile on his face”.
Another neighbour said: “Harvey and his dad were huge Sheffield United fans. It is just too awful for words.”
Floral tributes, candles and balloons were laid on a wall outside the school, including a note which described Harvey as the “life of the party” with a “bubbly personality”.
“You’ll be missed by many. You beautiful boy. Forever 15,” the note read.
Sir Keir Starmer, who was at a dinner with EU leaders in Brussels on Monday evening, said his heart went out to the teenager’s family.
In a statement, the Prime Minister said: “It is horrific and senseless news that a boy has died after a stabbing in Sheffield.
“I am deeply grateful to the first responders, the police officers and the medical staff who are offering support and reassurance.
“My heart goes out to the family and loved ones of the boy, the staff and students at the school, and the entire community of Sheffield.”
Victim had ‘whole life ahead of him’
Oliver Coppard, South Yorkshire’s mayor, said: “This morning a teenage boy went to school, like thousands of others across South Yorkshire, but won’t come home – a young man who was a member of our community with his whole life ahead of him.
“My love, my thoughts and my prayers are with his family and friends, and the whole community of All Saints Catholic High School.”
Mr Coppard, who has police and crime commissioner responsibilities, added: “The vast majority of our young people don’t carry knives – but one incidence of knife crime is one too many because, when we do see knife crime happen, all too often the consequences are utterly devastating as they have been today.
“I have spoken to the Chief Constable and offered her my full support as she carries out her investigation and continues to do everything she can to prioritise tackling knife crime across South Yorkshire.”
Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, said she was “devastated” by news of the stabbing, writing on X: “My heart goes out to his family, friends and the entire school community at this distressing time. We are in contact with the school and council to offer support. Investigations are now under way.”
Laura Trott, the shadow education secretary, said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the parents of the 15-year-old boy, whose life was so tragically cut short, and the teachers and pupils at All Saints Catholic High School.”
It was the second time the school had gone into lockdown in a week. On Jan 29, Sean Pender, the head teacher, reportedly sent a message to parents saying: “The reason for the lockdown was due to threatening behaviour between a small number of students, where threats were made of physical violence.”
A 2023 Ofsted report rated the school, which had 1,398 pupils at that time, as “good”.
Inspectors found that most pupils behaved well and that “a strong ethos of warmth and respect pervades this school”.
A recent spate of crimes has left children afraid, a local community centre manager said.
Increase in crime
Amaan Ahmed, a manager at Castle Asian Community Trust and Mosque in Norfolk Road, said: “This area has seen an increase in crime recently.
“Cars are being stolen and vandalised, there has been an increase in anti-social behaviour – it is quite rampant in the area.
“It is concerning, especially being a community centre. We provide facilities for people to pray and we have children who are afraid.”
Louise Haigh, the Sheffield Heeley MP, called the incident, which happened in her constituency, “horrific news”.
The Labour MP posted to Facebook: “A criminal investigation will now obviously take place, but serious questions will have to be answered about how this could have happened and I will be working with the school, the police and the council to make sure they are.”
By Albert Tait. Mark Lister (UK Telegraph)
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