Staff at Crawley College have been praised for their heroics in tackling an armed suspect during an incident at the college on Monday.
Chief inspector Shane Barker said he was “hugely grateful” for the “quick-thinking” actions of two staff members who tackled an armed suspect at the school.
Police were called to the site shortly after 3.10pm after reports of shots being fired. When they arrived the suspect had been detained.
A knife and blank-firing handgun were seized, and an 18-year-old was arrested on suspicion of firearms offences.
Chief Inspector Baker said: “I’d personally like to thank everyone who helped to quickly bring this incident to a safe conclusion, especially the two members of college staff whose heroics have not gone unnoticed. They put themselves in harm’s way in order to protect their students, fellow employees and the wider public, and I am hugely grateful for their quick-thinking actions.
“During this, they sustained minor injuries – not gunshot wounds – and presented themselves to a walk-in medical centre. Thankfully, no other injuries were reported, and no damage was caused by the blank shots fired.
“We are treating this as an isolated incident which was not terror-related, and while we are not seeking anyone else in connection with it, we will continue to provide a high visibility police presence in the area for community reassurance.
“We are also working with the college and the local authority to manage the welfare and wellbeing of those involved – including students – who will have been understandably shocked by this experience.”
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