Children from St Albans and Park Street who attend Parmiter’s School in Watford were advised against attending school today (Monday) because of a serious incident involving a shooting nearby.

It was one of several schools closed in the area after a serious altercation in Abbots Langley, which resulted in several people requiring hospital treatment.

In a statement, Herts Police said that officers are still at a property in High Elms Lane after a “large-scale disturbance at about 9pm yesterday”.

Three men sustained injuries during the altercation and were taken to hospital. One suffered a gunshot wound to his shoulder, while another was stabbed in the abdomen, and the third sustained a head injury.

A spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust said the service received a call just after 9pm to High Elms Lane.

Two rapid response vehicles, three ambulance crews, two officers, a hazardous area response team and the East Anglian Air Ambulance attended.

Just after 5pm today the Herts Police gave an update on the injured men, with a statement saying that all three have now been released from hospital.

It said: “Searches are continuing.”

The statement said that six men have now been arrested for affray, five of whom are from London. One is 18 years old, two are 25, one is 29 years old and the fifth is 31. The sixth man is a 29 year old.

High Elms Lane was closed today to allow officers and forensic experts to complete investigations and gather evidence.

The Herts Advertiser understands that while Parmiter’s School was not affected by the investigation itself, access to it and High Elms Manor and St Michael’s Catholic School was not possible while police road blocks were in place at High Elms Lane.

However, pupils sitting exams were allowed access to school.

Police had asked people to avoid the area where possible, to enable them to conclude their investigation – CCTV enquiries are continuing, and witnesses are currently being spoken to.

Detective Inspector Justine Jenkins for the Beds, Cambs and Herts Major Crime Unit said: “I fully understand that this may cause concern in the local community but I would like to reassure people we are doing all we can to establish exactly what has happened.

“At this stage it is believed to be an isolated incident between parties known to each other, who were attending a private party.

“As arrests have been made it is important not to speculate on what has happened so as not to prejudice any action going forward and I would urge people to be responsible when posting on social media.

“Police will remain in the area by way of reassurance. If you have any information about what happened, please call us on 101.”

• Parmiter’s School’s website says that it has been told that the road will be closed until “at least early afternoon. We have no alternative other than to close the school today. Please assume that school will be open tomorrow as normal.”

Herts Police have recommended parents check the affected schools’ websites for updates.

Those attending the West Herts Crematorium can still gain access by vehicle, but the police have advised mourners to allow more time for their journey.