A gang’s machete attack was witnessed by a group of schoolchildren.
Staff were reportedly forced to lock primary pupils in an astroturf court at Croft Sports Centre, in Old Town, as the violence unfolded in the nearby car park on Thursday 29 June.
It’s said that a gang wearing balaclavas – riding electric scooters and bikes – emerged from a woodland and surrounded a vehicle before attacking it with machetes, baseball bats and metal bars.
Lethbridge Primary School sent a letter to parents about the incident via email.
“We have been made aware by the principal of Croft School of an incident that took place in the car park of the Croft Sports Centre at 2.15pm last Thursday”, a school spokesperson wrote.
Adding: “The incident, which is believed to have been drugs related, involved two cars, four adult males and three e-scooters or bikes. Weapons (machetes and baseball bats) were involved.
“We do not have any further details at this time and do not know if anyone was injured in the incident.
“I share this information with you in the interests of community safety as many of our children play in the Croft area as well as our other parks and recreation areas in Old Town.”
Wiltshire Police were called to the scene, but according to one parent who spoke to Wiltshire 999s anonymously, no officers showed up – despite the obvious risk to children in the vicinity. The police only attended the following day to check the CCTV footage.
In a statement, the force said: “We attended Croft Sports Centre on Thursday (June 29) following a report that three men wearing balaclavas were damaging a parked car at about 3pm.
“The men then left on e-scooters. There were no reported injuries. We have not arrested anyone in relation to this incident.
“We would like to hear from any witnesses or anyone with information who should call us on 101 quoting log 54230068143.”
