Police have arrested an 18-year-old man near Crawley college and are investigating his background after an incident in which two people were injured and students and staff evacuated. Scores of officers rushed to the scene in West Sussex after reports of gunshots on Monday afternoon, which are as yet unverified. Police scoured the college campus for any suspect amid chaos and confusion as to what caused the alert. An 18-year-old was arrested at the scene. Police said a firearm and knife were seized. Counter-terrorism officials are now monitoring the situation, as police try to find a motive and piece together what happened. A spokesperson for Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE), which covers the Sussex area, said: “CTPSE are aware of the ongoing incident in Crawley and liaising with officers from Sussex police, who are leading the response.” Sussex police said that at around 3.10pm they starting receiving multiple calls about gunshots near the college, which offers further and higher education for students aged 16 or over. Police said two college staff members were treated for minor injuries, which were not gunshot wounds. Detectives are investigating whether the arrested man had any links to the college as well as his background and whether he was previously known to police. “All lines of inquiry are open,” Sussex police said. In a statement the force said: “Officers received multiple calls shortly after 3.10pm on Monday 26 April to reports of gun shots being fired at a college in College Road, Crawley. “Armed police were swiftly on scene and an 18-year-old man from Crawley was detained in College Road at 3.20pm and remains in custody at this time. A firearm and a knife were seized … Pupils and staff were evacuated to a safe space while police carried out a search of the buildings.” Ch Supt Howard Hodges added: “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. “We are liaising with officers at Counter Terrorism Policing South East. 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.” Owen Smith-Carretero, a witness, told the Crawley Observer police swarmed the area: “There were police everywhere. They were like ants. There was a helicopter flying above. “They were swarming. They were walking up and down the road, about 30-35 police officers, dozens of police cars and emergency vehicles.” In a statement Crawley college said on its website: “We are aware of an incident at Crawley College this afternoon. “We are awaiting further information from the police. At this time, we are not aware of any serious injuries. Our priority remains the safety of students & staff.”