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Five arrested after video circulates of attack on Surrey schoolgirl

Five people have been arrested after video footage showing what police describe as a “violent altercation” outside a school in Ashford, Surrey, was circulated on social media.

A 39-year-old woman, a 16-year-old girl, an 11-year-old girl, a 10-year-old girl and a 43-year-old man have been arrested in connection with the incident, according to Surrey police who were called after a fight broke out outside Thomas Knyvett college on Monday afternoon.

“I was shocked to see some of the video footage of this fight and the level of violence from young people outside one of our local schools,” said Insp Maxine Cilia, the borough commander for Spelthorne. “Every schoolchild should feel safe in the local community and not the target of any kind of violence as they leave school premises.”

Police said they were seeking to arrest a sixth person, a 15-year-old girl, over the incident.

The alleged victim had spoken to officers and had checks on her welfare, police said.

“We are aware that this incident will have caused concern among students, parents, and staff at Thomas Knyvett college, as well as the wider community,” a police said. Noting the footage circulating online, officers asked individuals not to share videos of the “distressing incident” and instead submit them to the investigation.

In a statement to parents and carers about the incident, which took place outside of the school, the principal, Richard Beeson, said a student had been “injured in a violent altercation”, adding: “We can reassure you that we are taking all necessary steps to ensure this isolated incident is dealt with and that student safety is our paramount concern.”