UPDATE: A 17-year-old boy has been arrested following a chaotic on-campus fight at Sheffield College today, but officials confirm that no knife was involved in the incident. The altercation erupted at the City Campus on November 18, 2023, prompting an urgent response from South Yorkshire Police.
Authorities received reports at 1:07 PM that a student had brandished a knife during the fight. The incident has sparked considerable concern in the community, particularly in light of the recent tragic murder of Harvey Willgoose, a 15-year-old student who was fatally stabbed earlier this year.
In a statement released today, Andrew Hartley, Deputy Chief Executive of Sheffield College, emphasized the institution’s commitment to student safety and education regarding the dangers of violent crime. “Student and staff safety is our number one priority,” Hartley stated, confirming that the college is actively cooperating with police investigations.
In response to the incident, a knife arch was deployed on campus as part of Operation Sceptre, an initiative aimed at raising awareness about knife crime, coinciding with the college’s pre-scheduled Safer Campus Week. Hartley assured parents and students, “We will roll out knife arches at our campuses from next week and conduct random wand searches in line with our policy.”
As part of disciplinary procedures, two students from the City Campus have been suspended following the college’s awareness of a separate incident off-campus through social media. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the fight, and students resumed their normal schedules later in the afternoon.
The college is also planning to trial CCTV body cameras on security personnel starting in January 2026 to enhance security measures and ensure swift responses in any future incidents.
This developing situation highlights the pressing need for community vigilance and educational efforts surrounding youth violence. Stay tuned for more updates as authorities continue to investigate this incident.
