Oaklands College has issued an update after two students were stabbed in Hertfordshire on Monday afternoon.

Two boys, aged 16 and 17, were taken to hospital with serious suspected stab wounds following a disturbance between a group of people outside shops at about 3.40pm.

Officers from Hertfordshire and armed response officers attended the scene in St Albans, with support from the National Police Air Service and the ambulance service, including the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance.

Oaklands College principal and CEO, Andrew Slade, has issued an update following the incident, expressing his concern while also reassuring students and their families.

"All of us at Oaklands College community are extremely concerned about the incident that occurred near our campus yesterday and resulted in two students receiving treatment in hospital," he said. 

"They are recovering and both are thankfully safe and well. They retreated into the safety of our college where they were met by our security and first-aid team, who provided an immediate first-aid response.

"The individuals were taken into the reception area of the college for treatment and we accompanied them to the hospital with their parents and guardians.
 
"However, we understand the worry and upset that this has caused among students and their families, and we would like to assure you that we are working closely with the police who are investigating this matter.

 
"In the meantime, we take the safety and security of our students and our staff extremely seriously and our priority is always to ensure that the college is a safe place for learning.

"We have been putting counselling support in place for anyone who needs it and we are also contacting those students who were on the scene of the incident to offer similar support.
 
"The college remains open and we have increased the security on campus. We are monitoring all traffic in and out of the campus and conducting bag searches as a preventative measure.

"Staff are regularly patrolling the campus and we are being supported by Hertfordshire Constabulary who are conducting patrols outside of the college where the incident took place and inside the college for further reassurance."

The college is located is in Hatfield Road, St Albans.