EXCLUSIVE: 'Knife incident' outside school same day kids were warned about dangers of blades

A boy was threatened by a teenager allegedly armed with a blade outside a school on the same day children had been warned about the dangers of knife crime inside.

The incident, at the junction of Tracyes Road and Southern Way, happened outside Passmores Academy in Harlow, Essex, just after 3.35pm on Monday 13 January.

Earlier in the day pupils were told by teachers about the dangers of knives following an earlier stabbing incident in the Staple Tye area the previous week.

The school wrote to parents saying that a young person known to the school had confronted one of the students.

A staff member intervened and allegedly discovered the aggressor had a weapon on him .

Police were called and arrived soon after.

The school believes the incident stemmed from a specific incident and there is not a wider issue.

The suspect had not attended the school for some time and will not be returning, the school added.

Police were seen at the school investigating the incident for much of the next day.

An Essex Police spokesperson said: "A teenage boy has been arrested as part of our response to an incident in Harlow.

"We were called to an incident near to Passmores Academy, in Tracyes Road, shortly after 3.35pm.

"Following a quick response to the call, officers seized a knife, and a 15-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of assault and possession of a bladed article.

"He has been released on conditional bail whilst our investigation continues.

"A teenage victim sustained a minor hand injury which is not associated with a weapon."

Acting chief inspector Leanne Archer, Harlow district commander, said: “Quite clearly there will be some concern around this incident given where this has taken place.

“The response to the incident was very quick and we were able to make an arrest and ensure there were no serious injuries sustained.

“A boy was questioned in connection with the incident and has been released on conditional bail whilst this investigation continues.”

Chief Inspector Archer added: “Driving down and preventing knife crime is among the most important work police officers and staff do.”

We know from our analysis that more than 50 percent of serious knife crime perpetrators are aged between ten and 19, whilst the highest single proportion of victims are male, also aged between ten and 19.

“We know this is an issue which can specifically affect young people and we work determinedly with our partners in Essex to support those at most risk by putting in place help and diversions to deter them from becoming serious knife crime perpetrators.”

If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us.

Please quote incident 576 of 13 January.

You can let us know by submitting a report on our website or by using our online Live Chat service which is available 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week.

Visit www.essex.police.uk/digital101 to find out more about our online reporting services.

If you would like to make an anonymous report you can contact independent charity @Crimestoppers, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111.