Two teenagers have been arrested after a 17-year-old boy was injured in a sword attack near a UK school – both men are to remain in custody, police say
Two teenagers have been arrested over a sword attack near a Catholic school in Gloucester, Gloucestershire Police said.
The force said a 19-year-old man was arrested overnight while an 18-year-old man handed himself in on Saturday morning. Both of the men are from Gloucester and remain in custody.
Officers were called to Chalford Road, near to St Peter’s High School, in Tuffley, shortly after 8.50am on Friday. It was reported that two males – one in possession of a sword – had been seen chasing two 17-year-old boys.
One boy sustained a “superficial wound” from the weapon while the second boy did not receive any physical injuries.
Armed police attended the scene to search for the suspects, who reportedly fled on foot.
Gloucestershire Police said a woman who had been arrested on Friday on suspicion of assisting an offender was released on police bail pending further inquiries.
Emma White, 50, has recounted a terrifying ordeal after she rushed back to the school to collect her 12-year-old son and a daughter, 14, after a work colleague told her of the ongoing incident.
She stated: “We were all going out from the classroom but then called back into class and told we were in lockdown, because there was an incident on the green over the road from the school,’ the boy said.
“There are about 30 children in my class and the form teacher locked the door when we got back inside and told us all to be quiet.
“I was terrified. I think we all were because even though we have had a drill like this before, no one thought anything like this would happen for real.
“We were told it was a fight outside the school and that we were safe. I phoned my mum and dad and my older brother and he cheered me up talking about football.”
Detective Inspector Sophie Dawkins of the Constabulary’s criminal investigation department issued statement on Friday.
Dawkins stated: “We completely understand the concern this incident would have caused, especially when it happened near a school at drop off time.
“We’ve had armed officers searching the area, along with support from our drone unit and the National Police Air Service, and work is ongoing to identify and locate those involved.
‘”Numerous enquiries have been taking place and officers from the neighbourhood team have been in the area throughout the day to reassure parents that there is not thought to be a wider threat.
“We are now keen to hear from anyone who has not already spoken to police who witnessed what happened or who has dashcam or any other footage.”
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