St Albans: Two injured in suspected stabbings near college

Emergency services were called to Oaklands College in St Albans on Monday afternoon

Two teenage boys have been treated for suspected stab wounds after an incident outside a college of further education.

Hertfordshire Constabulary said it was called to a disturbance outside shops on Hatfield Road, near Oaklands College, St Albans, at about 15:40 BST on Monday.

Police said the two youths, aged 16 and 17, were were taken to hospital but their injuries, while serious, were not life-threatening.

The college reopened on Tuesday.

The police force said inquiries were continuing and officers appealed for information and witnesses to the disturbance which was "between a group of people".

It said a police helicopter and the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance were also called out.

'Verbal altercation'

Video circulating on social media showed one person armed with a machete.

A friend of one of the victims said the incident was triggered by a "verbal altercation" between two students.

"The college was really good. Security escorted us off the premises in single file," he said.

He added that his friend was being treated in hospital after his arm was slashed.

The owner of one of the shops on Hatfield Road said he had never known anything like this in the 20 years he had been there.

He described the weapon used as "a massive big knife" and said the students involved had been arguing in his shop before it happened.

Insp Paul Caro said: "I want to reassure the public that this is being treated as an isolated incident, but police patrols are being increased in the area to safeguard others."

Increased 'security presence'

The college said in social media posts that it was used as a "central space for the emergency services" and was working with the police.

"We can confirm that there was a serious incident which happened near the college today, Monday 9 October," it said.

"We are aware of images circulating on social media of the emergency services on our campus.

"It is our number one priority to ensure that the college community is a completely safe place for learning and we will be increasing security presence [on Tuesday] for reassurance."

East of England Ambulance Service said: "Two teenage boys were transported to hospital by road ambulance for further assessment and care."

Oaklands said the college opened as usual on Tuesday.