Two men arrested after boy injured in Gloucester sword attack

Two men have been arrested after a 17-year-old boy was injured in a suspected sword attack near St Peter's High School in Tuffley, Gloucester, on Friday morning.

What happened

Police were called to Chalford Road, near St Peter's High School, shortly after 8.50am on Friday. Officers received reports that two males, one in possession of a sword, had been seen chasing two 17-year-old boys. The suspects fled the scene on foot.

One of the boys sustained a "superficial wound believed to have been caused by the sword", according to Gloucestershire Constabulary. The other boy was not physically injured.

Arrests and lockdown

Armed police attended the scene, supported by a drone unit and the National Police Air Service. St Peter's High School and the nearby Willow Primary Academy were put into lockdown.

A 19-year-old man from Gloucester was arrested overnight on suspicion of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray. An 18-year-old man, also from Gloucester, handed himself in to police on Saturday morning and was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray. Both men remain in police custody for questioning.

A woman arrested on Friday on suspicion of assisting an offender was released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Statements

Detective Inspector Sophie Dawkins of the constabulary's CID said: "We completely understand the concern this incident would have caused, especially when it happened near a school at drop-off time."

A pupil named Jimmy told the BBC the situation was "really scary" and that students were locked in their classrooms for several hours. "At the time I was scared," he said. "My heart was racing."

Why it matters

The incident prompted lockdowns at two schools and a significant police response, including armed officers and air support, during the morning drop-off period.

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Sources

• theguardian.com: Two men arrested after boy injured in Gloucester sword attack | Gloucestershire | The Guardian
• bbc.com: Two held after boy hurt in sword attack near Gloucester school
• bbc.co.uk: Two held after boy hurt in sword attack near Gloucester school - BBC News
• aol.com: Two teenagers arrested over sword attack near school - AOL
• lbc.co.uk: Two men arrested after teenager injured in Gloucester sword attack | LBC
• hellorayo.co.uk: Two more arrested after sword attack and chase in Tuffley as 17-year-old wounded | News - undefined

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.