No 10 downplays 'broken Britain' despite Edlington attack

Monday, 6 April 2009 12:00 AM

By politics.co.uk staff

Downing Street refused to rise to Conservative claims about 'broken Britain' after a horrific attack left two children in hospital in Doncaster.

Police have arrested two children found in local allotments after the alleged incident took place on Saturday afternoon in the Brick Ponds area of Edlington, near Doncaster.

An 11-year-old found partially conscious in a nearby railway cutting is in a "critical but stable" condition after being airlifted to Sheffield's children's hospital.

His friend, a nine-year-old youth, was discovered with cuts to his arms and face. He had raised the alarm and directed locals to his friend.

Though viewing the event as "shocking" Gordon Brown does not believe it reflected wider problems in British society, Downing Street said.

The prime minister's spokesman said: "In his view the overwhelming majority of children are well-behaved.

"Therefore I think he would be cautious about making a general sweeping statement on what [is] the basis of a disturbing but nonetheless single event."

The two children arrested were held overnight and remain in police custody as questioning continues.

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