UPDATE: A 17-year-old boy has been arrested following a violent altercation at Sheffield College on November 18, 2023. Authorities have confirmed that despite initial reports, no knife was pulled during the incident, which occurred at the City Campus on Granville Road at 1:07 PM.
The incident sent shockwaves through the community, particularly in light of the recent tragic stabbing of Harvey Willgoose, a 15-year-old student who was murdered earlier this year. The college has reassured students and staff that safety remains their top priority, with Deputy Chief Executive Andrew Hartley emphasizing ongoing educational efforts regarding the dangers of violent crime.
Police responded swiftly to the scene, leading to the arrest of the teenager on suspicion of affray and possession of a bladed article. However, they confirmed shortly after that no weapon had been involved. Hartley stated, “We understand the concern that this and yesterday’s incident will cause to our college and wider community.”
In response to the incident, a knife arch was deployed on campus as part of Operation Sceptre, a national initiative aimed at combating knife crime. This coincided with the college’s Safer Campus Week, underscoring their commitment to creating a safe educational environment. Hartley noted that two students from City Campus have been suspended pending further investigation into a separate altercation reported via social media.
The college plans to implement additional safety measures, including increased security checks such as random wand searches and the trialing of CCTV body cameras for security staff starting in January 2026. Hartley affirmed, “We will continue to focus on educating our students about the dangers of violent crime and the destruction it can cause.”
Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the altercation, and students were able to leave the campus as scheduled that afternoon. The community remains on edge, highlighting the urgent need for ongoing discussions and actions concerning youth violence.
As developments unfold, Sheffield College is poised to strengthen its security protocols, ensuring that student safety is maintained at all costs. For real-time updates on this story and more, stay tuned.
