'Mixed ideology': police yet to determine motive in university stabbing

Police suspect the 14-year-old boy had been radicalised online but had not determined his ideology or motivation apart from saying that the alleged attack was not believed to be religiously-charged.

Emergency services were called to the Camperdown campus in Sydney's Inner West at 8.35am on July 2 after receiving reports that a person had stabbed a 22-year-old male student.

NSW Police assistant commissioner Mark Walton said the teenager's ideology could be defined as "mixed and unclear" and that he was known to police and government agencies.

The teenager left the campus dressed in a "camouflage, defence force uniform" after the alleged stabbing and boarded a bus from Parramatta Road, assistant commissioner Walton said.

The assistant commissioner said he was concerned by the toxic nature of the internet and its increasing influence on 12 to 16-year-old boys. He urged parents to reach out for help if they were concerned.

Officers tracked the 14-year-old a short distance to Camperdown's Royal Prince Alfred Hospital where he had presented with superficial injuries.

The 14-year-old inner west resident was arrested and is receiving a mental health assessment.

Investigators said he was assisting with their inquiries.

A 22-year-old Australian national was treated at the university and was transferred to the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Investigators from the Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Command believe the alleged assailant and the victim did not know each other.

University vice-chancellor Mark Scott said in an email to students that he was "shocked and saddened" by the alleged attack on a member of the university community in what he described as an isolated incident.

"NSW Police have arrested the alleged attacker and have assured us that there is no ongoing threat to the community," he said.

A crime scene has been established at the university.

Support is available:

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.

With Australian Associated Press.