Arrest over 'terrifying' knife incident at college

Police were called to Royal Leamington Spa College on Tuesday afternoon

A teenager has been arrested following a knife incident at a college, which led to the site being locked down.

A 17-year-old boy was suspected of possessing an offensive weapon, and his home was searched following the incident at Royal Leamington Spa College in Warwickshire on Tuesday afternoon.

Two other boys were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder following an incident while police were at the scene.

Warwickshire Police described the knife incident as "terrifying" for those concerned, but said they believed it was part of disagreement, and there was no wider risk to the community. No-one was hurt.

The college said students had since returned to lessons or left the campus, while police maintained a presence there.

Ch Insp Simon Ryan from Warwickshire Police said no-one was hurt during the incident

"This was clearly a terrifying incident for everyone concerned, and I would like to reassure people that we have taken prompt action to detain a suspect," said Ch Insp Simon Ryan.

The 17-year-old suspect was detained at his home.

The force had initially responded to reports of a male with a weapon, the chief inspector said, and the two further arrests followed a fight that had broken out while police were at the scene.

He added they were working to understand if there was a connection between the two incidents.

Warwickshire Police said it was aware of footage of what happened at the college on social media, which was forming part of its investigation.

"We are desperate to get that footage," Ch Insp Ryan said, urging those who have it to share it with the force.

Officers said they were aware of footage of the incident at the college on social media

Royal Leamington Spa College said it had been advised to go into lockdown by police, and the second, separate incident outside the college had involved a group of students.

It stressed that the safety and wellbeing of students was of the utmost importance, and it would continue to work with external agencies to ensure the campus was a safe place to study and work.