Armed gang threaten students at Lancashire college

Six people have been arrested after a knife-wielding gang launched an attack on students at a sixth form college in Lancashire on Monday.

The violence broke out after around a dozen people pulled up in three cars at Runshaw College in Leyland at 4pm and “began shouting and confronting students” outside the building, reports the Manchester Evening News. A 17-year-old boy received a cut to his arm during the incident. 

Police said the group of males, believed to be from Manchester, ran off when officers arrived. Some of the young men were carrying knives, according to Lancashire Constabulary.

The injured student was treated in Chorley Hospital but his wound was not serious, the force said.

Officers had received a tip-off earlier in the day from a college staff member that a group from Manchester was heading there “with weapons”, the BBC reports.

“When patrols arrived, the group made off from the college,” police said. “Three people who were inside a parked Nissan Micra close by were arrested. A fourth person who made off on foot was also arrested.”

A fifth suspect was arrested after police stopped a car on the M55. The sixth arrest was made on Monday evening.

Chief Inspector Gary Crowe, from the Leyland team, said: “We believe this was a targeted attack in that we think the group have gone to find someone and a separate student has received a minor injury. This was not a random attack.

“I would like to reassure people that the incident has now come to a close. The safety of the college’s students and staff remains our priority and so we have stepped up patrols in the area and this will continue. We have and will remain in close contact with the college.”

British Transport Police announced on Twitter that officers would be using extra powers to stop and search people for weapons around Leyland Railway Station until 10pm on Monday.