Croydon colleges locked down after machete chase

Two colleges in Croydon were temporarily locked down on September 30 after a masked teenager was observed chasing another individual with a bladed weapon. The incident occurred at John Ruskin College on Selsdon Park Road, leading to a police response and a precautionary lockdown at the nearby Quest Academy.

Incident details

The event unfolded around 5pm on Saturday, September 30. Footage circulating from the scene shows a masked teenager in dark clothing running after another person across the college grounds. The pursuer was carrying an object described as a machete. Students and staff were present nearby during the chase. A student, who asked to remain anonymous, told Your Local Guardian they felt fearful, stating, "I felt fearful; I thought 'oh my god, how is this happening'."

Police response and outcome

Metropolitan Police officers arrived at the college on Selsdon Park Road at approximately 5:08 pm. A police spokesman confirmed to Your Local Guardian that officers attended following reports of a person with a bladed weapon. However, by the time police reached the scene, the suspect had already departed. No arrests have been made, and the Metropolitan Police are actively seeking to locate the individual, believed to be a teenager. No injuries were reported as a result of the incident.

Quest Academy confirmed its lockdown was a precautionary measure. Pupils were permitted to leave the premises once the all-clear was given.