Three pupils arrested over knives

Police are investigating an alleged arranged fight between the schools.

Three youths have been arrested after they were found carrying knives at their schools.

Police were called to Branksome Technology College and Carmel Roman Catholic Technology College on 17 March after staff seized the weapons.

Officers are also investigating the possibility of a pre-arranged fight between pupils from the rival schools.

The pupils have been permanently excluded and referred to Durham Police's youth offending team.

Chris Reeves, Community Inspector for Darlington, said: "In both cases, school staff discovered the weapons and then called us.

"Two knives were seized at Branksome and one at Carmel. Officers went to the youths' homes after they had been excluded and arrested them for possession of an offensive weapon.

One knife was seized from a pupil at Carmel College.

"These are quite nasty knives, not the kind you might imagine a boy scout having.

"We often stop and search youths in Darlington on a Friday or Saturday night and we don't really have a knife problem in the town.

"But this has prompted us to be extra cautious about how we police Darlington on those nights."

Darlington Borough Council said in a statement: "The schools are treating this matter very seriously.

"Pupils know that the carrying of knives or weapons of any description is a serious breach of discipline and is strictly forbidden.

"The safety of all pupils and school staff is paramount and can not be compromised at any time.

"The schools have now concluded their investigations into these incidents and as a result it is with regret that three pupils, one from Carmel Technology College and two from Branksome School have been excluded."