Two injured after gunshots reported near college in Sussex

One man detained as police warn people to stay away from the area

Armed police at Crawley College, Crawley, West Sussex, following "reports of gunshot fire". A man has been detained at the scene in Crawley and two people have suffered injuries, not believed to be serious, police said (PA)

Police in Sussex have detained an 18-year-old man after they were called to reports of gunfire near Crawley College.

Two staff members were injured during the incident, but a spokesperson for Sussex Police said their injuries were “not believed to be serious”.

Staff and students were evacuated from the college as the force warned people to stay away from the area.

Local officers are liaising with counterterror police and “all lines of inquiry are open”, police said on Monday evening.

Significant numbers of armed police remained at the scene in the West Sussex town as the area continues to be cordoned off.

Armed police at Crawley College, Crawley, West Sussex, following "reports of gunshot fire" (PA)

Chief Superintendent Howard Hodges said: “We continue to have a large policing presence in Crawley and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

“Two staff members at the college suffered minor injuries and presented themselves to a walk-in medical centre.

“No one else has presented themselves to us with injuries but if you need medical assistance please contact the ambulance service or speak to an officer.”

Armed police at Crawley College, Crawley, West Sussex, following "reports of gunshot fire" (PA)

A video shared on Snapchat seen by the PA news agency appears to show someone being held on the ground by several others outside the college, while the person holding the camera says “my man had a knife and a gun”.

The college said it was not aware of any serious injuries after the incident.

The college tweeted: “We are aware of an incident at Crawley College this afternoon. Sussex Police are present on the scene and a man has been detained.

“We are awaiting further information from the police. We are not aware of any serious injuries. Our priority remains the safety of students and staff.”

One student from the college praised his teacher for keeping his class calm after he heard gunshots during the incident on Monday afternoon.

James, who did not wish to share his second name, was on the sixth floor of the building.

“I was doing my work at the time then suddenly heard some gunshots from the very bottom of the tower,” the 19-year-old told the PA news agency.

James said police arrived just a few minutes later and although the experience was scary he “felt calm and safe” thanks to his teacher and the fast police response.

“It’s a really new experience and felt really scary due to there being a gun around where I’m doing my college work,” he said

“The teacher, he barricaded the room’s door just in case and I have a lot of trust in him, since we were far up the tower I felt safer too.”

Anyone with information can contact police by calling 101 or online quoting Operation Reset.