Cairns girl, 12, charged with slashing two

A 12-year-old Queensland girl has been charged with allegedly slashing two people with a knife.

The girl was standing outside a Cairns shopping centre on Sunday afternoon when she allegedly became aggressive with a group of girls known to her. She is then said to have pulled out a knife and chased the group, who fled into a nearby store.

The girl followed them and allegedly stabbed a 16-year-old girl in the arm. A 47-year-old woman who attempted to stop the assault was also allegedly slashed across the arm.

The girl fled but was arrested by police a short time later. It's alleged she spat in the face of a police officer at the watchhouse.

She has been charged with wounding and serious assault of a police officer by spitting among other charges. She has also been charged over two alleged shoplifting incidents prior to the assault.

The injuries to the 16-year-old girl and 47-year-old woman were not considered life-threatening.