Masked Teenager Chases Student with Machete at London College, Prompting Lockdown

A masked individual armed with what appeared to be a machete chased a student across John Ruskin College in Croydon, south London, on Wednesday, leading to a temporary lockdown of the school and a nearby academy. The incident occurred around 5 p.m., prompting students and staff at both John Ruskin College and Quest Academy to remain inside their classrooms.

Footage of the event showed a person dressed in black wielding a bladed weapon while pursuing a teenager across the college grounds. Witnesses reported that the alleged attacker fled the scene with the weapon before police arrived approximately ten minutes later.

"I felt fearful; I thought: 'Oh my god, how is this happening.' I thought school was a safe place, and then this happened," a student told reporters.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson stated that officers responded to reports of a person with a bladed weapon. Upon arrival, the suspect had already left the scene. No arrests have been made, and authorities are actively searching for the individual, believed to be a teenager. No injuries were reported during the incident.

John Ruskin College confirmed it initiated a "precautionary lockdown following a security incident on campus grounds." The college stated that the situation was managed quickly by staff and police, and normal operations have resumed. A spokesperson for Quest Academy also confirmed their school entered a lockdown as a safety measure.

Both educational institutions expressed gratitude to students, staff, and the police for their cooperation. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.