Oaklands College increases security after student stabbings

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

A college said it was "extremely concerned" after two students were treated for suspected stab wounds.

The boys, aged 16 and 17, who attend Oaklands College on Hatfield Road in St Albans, were injured outside a corner shop at about 15:40 BST on Monday.

In a statement, the college said the students were "recovering and both are thankfully safe and well".

Hertfordshire Police are investigating the disturbance and the college said it was "working closely" with officers.

The college, which remained open, had put increased security on campus, it said.

Police said the students were taken to hospital but that their injuries, while serious, were not life-threatening.

A police helicopter and the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance Service also attended.

'Safe place'

In a statement, Oaklands College said it "understood the worry and upset" caused by the incident.

"We take the safety and security of our students and our staff extremely seriously and our priority is always to ensure that the college is a safe place for learning," it read.

"We have been putting counselling support in place for anyone who needs it and we are also contacting those students who were on the scene of the incident to offer similar support."

The college of further education also condemned "fake images grabbed from websites" claiming to show the incident.

"Please be aware that not everything that is being shared is authentic," the college said.