POLICE are hunting a thug who walked into a Bolton college and attempted to stab a student.

The intruder pulled a small craft knife but only managed to puncture the student's anorak.

He and his accomplice fled when confronted by other students.

The incident happened in the canteen at North Bolton College in Smithills Dean Road yesterday lunchtime.

A spokesman for the college said she did not know the motive for the attack, but confirmed that it followed a scuffle the previous day between students after some cars were scratched.

She said: "I have no knowledge that the two incidents were connected, and do not know of any motive for the attack."

However, a police spokesman said: "This sort of behaviour will not be tolerated and we will be seeking out the two offenders. They will be dealt with." Parents at the adjoining Smithills Schools on the same site are worried about security. One said: "I have children who attend the school which shares grounds with the college at lunchtimes.

"It worries me to think that somebody not belonging to the college can just walk in with a knife and attack a student like that.

"After Dunblane, I would have hoped that security would have been tightened up a little more."

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