Two men and a boy have been arrested following an attack involving a sword that left a teenager injured near two schools in Gloucester. The incident prompted St Peter’s High School and Willow Primary Academy in Tuffley to go into lockdown on Friday morning.
Police Arrests and Investigation
A 19-year-old man was taken into custody overnight on suspicion of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray. Additionally, an 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and affray. A 17-year-old boy was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. Gloucestershire Police stated that all three suspects are local residents and remain in police custody for questioning.
Investigators previously reported that two men, one carrying a sword, were seen chasing two boys shortly before 08:50 GMT on Friday. Armed officers responded to the scene to search for the suspects, who reportedly fled on foot. Police confirmed that the 17-year-old victim sustained a superficial wound believed to have been caused by the sword, while the second boy involved escaped uninjured.
Authorities also noted that a woman previously arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender has been released on police bail.
School Lockdown and Student Reactions
The security measures at St Peter’s High School and Willow Primary Academy kept pupils locked inside their classrooms for several hours during the police response. A student named Jimmy described the event to the BBC as a terrifying experience, explaining that students were instructed to lock classroom doors and turn off the lights.
The suspects remain in police custody as the investigation into the sword attack continues.
