Welsh School Stabbings: Report Reveals Teen’s Obsession with War and Weapons

A newly released safeguarding report has shed light on the disturbing background of the 13-year-old girl who carried out a knife attack at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire. The attack in April 2024 left two teachers and a pupil seriously injured and has since raised serious questions about early intervention and child safeguarding.

According to the report, the girl had long displayed a fascination with violence, war memorabilia, and weapons. She also expressed admiration for Adolf Hitler and claimed knowledge of both German and Russian. Her interests had sparked discussions among professionals about whether she should be referred to the government’s Prevent programme, designed to address early signs of extremism. Ultimately, no formal referral was made. Instead, an early help assessment was suggested—but her father declined the offer of support.

The case gained national attention when, after the attack, the girl chillingly remarked: “That’s one way to be a celebrity,” and predicted her actions would bring her media coverage.

In April 2025, she was sentenced to 15 years in detention after being found guilty of three counts of attempted murder. Teachers Fiona Elias and Liz Hopkin, along with a pupil, sustained serious injuries but survived.

The Mid and West Wales Safeguarding Board, along with Carmarthenshire County Council, commissioned the review to assess whether warning signs were missed. The findings underline the need for stronger collaboration between schools, families, and safeguarding agencies when children show signs of concerning behaviour, even if they fall short of counter-terrorism thresholds.

This case continues to spark debate over how best to balance early intervention, parental responsibility, and state intervention when young people show dangerous patterns of behaviour.

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