Parents 'fuming' as machete-wielding gang seen strolling around college campus

28 September 2023 , 17:37

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Solihull College (Image: Birmingham Mail)

Furious parents have blasted "sickening" images of a machete-wielding gang strolling around a college campus.

An unidentified male in the group, all wearing dark clothing and some with face coverings, can be seen brandishing the large knife inside the grounds of Solihull College, on Blossomfield Road near the centre of Solihull. Parent's have also reacted angrily to not being told of what happened as they were left to see the footage on social media.

The youth carrying the blade was wearing all black in the incident that took place last Monday. While there were claims online that someone was injured, in a statement college bosses confirmed nobody was hurt and said extra security had been deployed. West Midlands Ambulance Service said it had no record of being called to the college.

The college says the person seen with the weapon was not a pupil (Claire Wood/Facebook)

But one parent said they had been left "fuming" following the distressing events. They wrote: "As if this happens at my daughter's college on Monday ... and none of the parents have been notified. Shame on you Solihull College & University Centre." Another person described the image as "shocking and sickening". They said: "Kids are not safe anywhere," and a further wrote: "Is that a machete?" in disbelief.

A college spokesperson said that it was working with the police over the incident and that the person was not a student, reported BirminghamLive. They stated: "Solihull College and University Centre is working closely with the police after an incident where a group of people appeared at the front of the college on Monday with one of them holding what appeared to be a machete. Contrary to social media reports, no-one was hurt and the group dispersed quickly. The person was not a student. We have added extra security around the college grounds. The police are continuing their investigation. If any student is concerned please talk to your tutor."

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Meanwhile on Tuesday, separately, a dispersal order had been introduced in Solihull town centre following a "number of incidents" of anti-social behaviour. It gave police extra powers to send people on their way and covered Bruteon Park and Malvern Park.

Officers said: "Due to a number of incidents regarding anti-social behaviour we have a dispersal order in place in Solihull town centre. This includes Brueton Park and Malvern Park. This is one of the many ways we are keeping Solihull safe.

Tim Hanlon