Head chases knife-wielding thug, orders him off bus

But insists she’s no heroine!

A HIGH school head teacher who tackled a knife-wielding thug and ordered him off a bus has insisted she is no heroine.

Allison Crompton (47), of Chadderton, saw a 17-year-old with a large knife chasing another youth.

The quick-thinking head of Middleton Technology School chased the teen away from the school grounds.

And when he tried to flee by boarding a bus, she followed him and she demanded he get off.

The drama unfolded at 2.50pm on September 19 when pupils were making their way home at the end of the school day.

Mrs Crompton said: “A youth who had no connection with our school went past the school gate where I was stood with my colleagues supervising our children on the road side as they left school.

“A short distance away from our gate, he brandished a knife and chased another youth down Kenyon Lane and I pursued him.

“On Oldham Road, the youth then boarded a bus in the direction of Oldham.

“My children said ‘He’s got on the bus, Miss’.

“I got on the bus and I could see him at the back. I could also see some elderly, distressed passengers.

“I shouted at him in my best head teacher’s voice ‘You get off the bus now’.”

The yob left the bus and was arrested within a matter of minutes.

He has since been convicted of possessing a weapon, affray and breaching an ASBO and a court will sentence him next month.

A special assembly was held the following day to reassure frightened pupils and letters were sent to parents.

Mrs Crompton admitted it was extremely lucky that she had been there as the youth had been slashing at terrified pupils.

Mrs Crompton said: “I think I did what anyone else would have done.

“I was just concerned that the incident had shocked a lot of students and waiting parents.

“I was also conscious of the threat to the safety of my students who were making their way home and wanted to make sure that they did not get in the way.

“I don’t think I am a heroine.”