Two teenagers have been arrested in connection with a sword attack that injured a 17-year-old boy outside St Peter's High School in Tuffley, Gloucester, on Friday morning. Police responded to reports of an altercation on Chalford Road shortly after 8:50 a.m., leading to five local schools being placed into lockdown.
A 19-year-old man from Gloucester was arrested overnight on Saturday on suspicion of assault and affray. An 18-year-old man, also from Gloucester, subsequently surrendered to police and was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon, assault, and affray. Both remain in custody for questioning. A woman arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender has been released on police bail.
During the incident, officers were searching for a male seen holding a "long-bladed" item who fled the scene with another individual. Video footage shared on social media appeared to show a person dressed in black with a balaclava wielding a curved sword. One 17-year-old victim sustained a superficial wound believed to have been caused by the sword, while a second 17-year-old victim was unharmed.
Parents expressed shock and concern, with some collecting their children from school. The lockdown was lifted approximately three hours after the incident began. Authorities assured parents there was not believed to be a wider threat to the public.
Detective Inspector Sophie Dawkins stated that extensive inquiries were underway and appealed for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to come forward. The investigation is ongoing, with police referencing case number 53260095808.