Head teacher of boy, 15, who was stabbed urges pupils 'take care'

THE head teacher of a teenage pupil who was stabbed as he walked home from school has written to parents about the incident.

Liz Coffey, principal of Landau Forte College, said pupils have been reminded to take care going to or leaving school each day.

She has also revealed extra police officers have been on duty in the area near the school.

Police were called to an underpass connecting Mansfield Road and Phoenix Street on Monday, where they found a 15-year-old boy with stab wounds.

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The incident happened moments after he left the college, in Fox Street, at about 4pm. He was treated in hospital but released the following day.

In the letter to parents, posted on the school's website, Ms Coffey said: "As I am sure many of you will be already aware, on Monday afternoon at the end of the college day there was a serious incident outside of the college campus.

"The incident involved a number of young people and was witnessed by some of our students. The matter has become a police investigation and we are doing everything we can to support that investigation.

"The student of Landau Forte College who was injured and taken to hospital is now at home and we have been in close contact with the family.

"On Tuesday morning this week, the students were made aware that the police investigation is proceeding and encouraged to pass on any information that they feel may be important. The students' response has been excellent.

"We have been as open as we can be with them about what has taken place but have also explained that because the matter is a police investigation we have to be very careful not to say or do anything that will compromise that investigation.

"We have been supporting the students who were directly involved and have reminded all students about keeping safe as they make their journey to and from college.

"We have also reassured them that this kind of incident is very unusual."

She said police had provided uniformed officers at the beginning and end of the college day and would continue to do so until tomorrow night."

The Derby Telegraph asked Ms Coffey for an interview about the incident, and questions posed by some parents, but she declined.

In a statement to the paper, she said: "In respect of the contact you appear to have from parents of children at the college I would ask that you encourage any parent to contact me directly and I will be more than ready to discuss any concerns they have. Indeed, we have responded directly to any enquiries that we have had over the last 48 hours regarding this incident.

"In the meantime, the welfare, safety and education of our children continue to be our priority.

"We will not communicate with our parents through any third party but will continue to do so directly.

"A letter has been sent to parents today

Four youths have been interviewed and bailed by police pending further inquiries.