Patrols at a major college near Preston and railway station have been stepped up by police.

Five arrests were made after an incident of disorder at Runshaw College during Monday (4 March.

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Lancashire Police say a member of staff at the college, in Leyland, received an anonymous report stating a group of people were heading to the college with weapons by train from Manchester.

Officers from Lancashire Constabulary and British Transport Police were deployed.

A group of males were seen walking into the college grounds shortly before 4pm on Monday.

Some of the group carried knives and were making threats towards students.

Police say a 17-year-old boy was nicked in the arm with a knife during the incident and was taken to Chorley Hospital. His injuries are not thought to be serious.

When police arrived the group of males made off from Runshaw College.

Three people were arrested inside a Nissan Micra parked closely.

A fourth person made off on foot and was also arrested.

An Astra was stopped on the M55 and a fifth person arrested in connection with the incident. A sixth person has now been arrested.

British Transport Police have put Leyland Station on lockdown with stop and search powers deployed until 10pm on Monday evening.

Chief Inspector Gary Crowe from Leyland Police said: “We believe this was a targeted attack in that we think the group have gone to find someone and a separate student has received a minor injury. This was not a random attack.

“I would like to reassure people that the incident has now come to a close. The safety of the college’s students and staff remains our priority and so we have stepped up patrols in the area and this will continue. We have and will remain in close contact with the college.

“If you have any information, or any mobile phone footage of the incident, please make contact with us. You can call 101 quoting incident reference 933 of today (March 4th).”

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No ages or locations for the five people arrested have been given by police at this stage.

Runshaw College said it was due to be open on Tuesday (5 March) as normal.