TWO teachers have been injured after shots were fired at a busy college in Crawley yesterday.

An 18-year-old has been arrested after officers received multiple calls shortly after 3.10pm that gunshots had been fired at Crawley College.

A firearm and a knife were seized, as two college staff members were treated for minor injuries.

Hundreds of people watched from behind a police cordon in College Road, as armed officers from the South East's counter-terrorism team cleared the building throughout the afternoon.

Students were filmed leaving the college with their hands on their heads, as hundreds of police evacuated the campus.

The Argus: Officers overlooking Crawley College Officers overlooking Crawley College

One witness told The Argus he saw the "gunman" outside a classroom wearing a facemask and shot "blanks at people" but tried to flee when he was confronted by staff members.

Nick Sparkes, an eye-witness who was in the park opposite the college at the time, said he heard what sounded like "gunshots" shortly followed by "loads of screaming and shouting".

Dozens of police cars, including unmarked vehicles rushed to the scene, causing widespread disruption to traffic throughout the town.

Two police helicopters were seen circulating the college, as officers remained on-site hours after the incident was first declared.

Chief Superintendent Howard Hodges said: "We continue to have a large policing presence in Crawley and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

"Two staff members at the College suffered minor injuries and presented themselves to a walk-in medical centre.

"No one else has presented themselves to us with injuries but if you need medical assistance please contact the ambulance service or speak to an officer.

The Argus: Dozens of armed police officers were called to Crawley College Dozens of armed police officers were called to Crawley College

"We are liaising with officers at Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE). All lines of enquiry are open at this stage.

"Roads in the vicinity of the college have been closed and we continue to ask members of the public to stay away from the area at this time."

Nick Sparkes, an eye-witness who was in the area, told The Argus that he heard what sounded like "gunshots" shortly followed by "loads of screaming and shouting".