A college was thrown into chaos today after a huge brawl broke out between students, with police being called. Mobile phone footage captured violence erupting among students at Stockport College.
The footage captured one student screaming “oh my god” repeatedly as boys aimed kicks and punches at each other, first inside the college and then on a concourse outside. Security guards in hi-vis jackets and other staff can be seen struggling to stop the fight, said to have started when two students clashed. The footage showed one member of staff tending to one youth who had been knocked to the ground while the fighting continued around him. Other students hurdled security barriers to join the melee. A spokeswoman for Greater Manchester Police confirmed officers were called to a fight between a group of people at the college on Stockport Road South just before noon. The Manchester Evening News (MEN) received reports that a person was stabbed, but college officials and GMP said no weapons were involved. Nine teenagers have been arrested, and they remain in police custody tonight.
One concerned parent told the Manchester Evening News her 15-year-old son had been left in shock after witnessing the brawl. The fight started with two boys and then escalated, she said.
“It’s pretty scary,” she said. “It was two boys fighting, and then their friends got involved.” She said the college was placed ‘on lockdown’.
Another caller told the M.E.N.: “It started with two boys fighting and then others joined in, and it became a huge problem.”
An official at Stockport College said nobody had been stabbed.
Stockport College said in a statement this evening: “All safety and escalation procedures were followed in response to today’s incident. Our lockdown procedure was implemented swiftly to ensure the situation was managed effectively.
“The wellbeing of our students remains our highest priority. College returned to normal studies within the hour.”
A statement from GMP said: “At around 11.50am today (November 27), officers were called to a group of males fighting at a college on Wellington Road South, Stockport.
“Officers immediately attended the incident, and nine people, aged between 16 and 18, were arrested on suspicion of affray. No weapons were involved in the incident, and thankfully, no serious injuries have been reported.
“The nine remain in custody for questioning, and local officers are working with partners to provide support and assistance.”