A man in his thirties has been arrested on suspicion of multiple assaults, including a racially-aggravated public order offence, following a knife attack outside Bradford College that left two members of the public hospitalised and two emergency workers injured.
West Yorkshire Police responded to reports at 9.21am this morning of a man armed with what appeared to be a knife on Great Horton Road near Bradford College. The suspect was quickly subdued by college security staff before police officers arrived to make the arrest, authorities confirmed.
The man has been arrested on suspicion of assaulting two members of the public and assaulting two emergency workers. He was also arrested for a racially-aggravated public order offence and causing damage to a police vehicle, West Yorkshire Police said.
Swift Response Prevents Further Harm
The incident occurred during morning hours when the college would typically be busy with arriving students. Security staff at the college detained the suspect before police arrival, potentially preventing more serious casualties.
The two injured members of the public have been taken to hospital for treatment for non-life-threatening injuries. A small gardening tool was seized by police at the scene.
Detective Inspector Ailis Coates of West Yorkshire Police addressed community concerns about the incident. “We know that this incident will understandably cause some concern in the community. I would like to reassure people that the suspect was quickly detained by security staff and arrested by the police,” she said.
Police Appeal for Witnesses and Footage
A police cordon has been erected outside a newsagents in Great Horton Road, with officers guarding a bench in the area. Neighbourhood policing teams have increased their presence around the college to provide reassurance.
Detective Inspector Coates urged witnesses to come forward with any footage they may have captured. “We understand that this incident has been witnessed by a large number of people and that some people may have filmed bits of it. We would ask them to please share this footage with the police as it could greatly assist us in our ongoing investigation.”
“We currently have a police scene in place on Great Horton Road and people can expect to see our neighbourhood policing colleagues in the area providing reassurance to college staff and students and the wider community,” she added.
Bradford College: A Major Education Hub
Bradford College, located on Great Horton Road, is one of the largest further education institutions in West Yorkshire, serving approximately 25,000 students. The college offers courses ranging from introductory level through to postgraduate qualifications.
The main campus where the incident occurred houses the David Hockney Building, which contains over 90 classrooms, laboratories, lecture rooms, and specialist facilities. The college has multiple buildings across the Bradford area, with the Great Horton Road site serving as its primary campus.
According to official records, the college is registered with Ofsted and was last inspected in November 2021, receiving a “Good” rating. The institution has been serving the Bradford community since 1832, when the Bradford Mechanics Institute was first founded.
Rising Knife Crime Concerns Across West Yorkshire
The attack comes amid ongoing efforts by West Yorkshire Police to tackle knife crime across the region. In May 2025, the force participated in the national Sceptre initiative, a week-long operation aimed at reducing knife-related offences.
During that operation, 180 arrests were made across West Yorkshire, with scores of weapons sweeps conducted and 43 schools visited for awareness programmes. Officers deployed state-of-the-art knife detection technology, including TR36PRO+ Search Poles funded by the Violence Reduction Partnership.
Recent statistics have highlighted the challenge facing authorities. In May 2025 alone, there were 136 crimes recorded within half a mile of Great Horton Road, including one possession of weapons crime, according to police data.
Previous Incidents Heighten Concerns
Bradford has experienced several serious violent incidents in recent months. In June 2025, a 19-year-old man, Muhammad Junaid Khan, died following a stabbing incident in the Newton Street area, which resulted in nine arrests.
West Yorkshire Police have been conducting regular operations across Bradford District as part of their efforts to combat knife crime and anti-social behaviour. Operation Jetshot in July saw 30 arrests made during a crackdown on neighbourhood crime, with warrants executed in relation to drugs and serious organised crime.
Community Safety Measures
Bradford District Police have been working with multiple agencies to address safety concerns. Recent initiatives have included high-visibility patrols in identified knife crime hotspots, deployment of knife search technology at transport hubs, and educational programmes in schools.
The West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Partnership, led by the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, has been delivering interventions across communities since 2019. In 2024/25 alone, the partnership reached over 15,630 young people under 25, 1,234 adults, and trained 477 professionals.
Police have also been conducting regular weapon sweeps in hotspot areas. In one recent operation, Bradford Council staff discovered a cache of nine bladed weapons near Exchange Square in the city centre.
Investigation Continues
Anyone who witnessed this morning’s incident who has not already spoken to the police is asked to contact Bradford District CID by calling 101, quoting crime reference 13250579597. Information can also be passed anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
West Yorkshire Police have asked members of the public to share any footage they may have captured, as it could greatly assist in the ongoing investigation. The force has emphasised that neighbourhood policing teams will maintain an increased presence in the area.
The incident at Bradford College represents another challenge for authorities working to reduce knife crime across West Yorkshire. With the suspect now in custody facing multiple charges, including the racially-aggravated public order offence, the investigation will continue to establish the full circumstances of the attack.
As the police investigation proceeds, the focus remains on supporting those affected and maintaining community safety around one of Bradford’s major educational institutions.
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Image Credit:
David Hockney Building, Bradford College — photo by Stephen Craven, licensed under CC BY 2.0 (geograph.org.uk)
