ATTLEBORO -- Police continued their heavy presence at Attleboro High School Friday, but once again rumors of trouble -- this time a shooting at the school -- were unfounded.

`` This school is as safe, if not safer, than any school its size,'' police Capt. David Proia said.

The school has been on edge this week as stories keep circulating of trouble between Attleboro and Pawtucket teens.

Police made three arrests outside the school on Rathbun Willard Drive after school Friday afternoon after officers stopped a suspicious vehicle.

The driver, Esvin Perez, 20, of 58 James St., was charged with driving without a license. Two juvenile AHS students, part of a crowd of onlookers, were also taken into custody.

Police Chief Richard Pierce said one of the youths was charged with possession of a folding knife and the other was arrested on an outstanding warrant.

No other incidents were reported Friday at the school, where attendance returned to near-normal levels after many parents kept students home Thursday in response to rumors of impending violence.

Police intend to maintain `` increased vigilance'' around the school for the immediate future, Pierce said.

Authorities hope to head off any potential trouble and tamp down rumors of teen conflict, he said.

Officials said it seems clear that student-fueled speculation was wildly inflating minor incidents.

Within minutes of Friday's arrests, one student reported receiving a text message alleging that a shooting had occurred.

There was no shooting, Pierce said.

Nevertheless, police said they have been maintaining a high profile near the high school and following up leads.

`` Every time we chase down a rumor, we hit a dead end,'' Proia said. Both on Thursday and Friday, police kept up an active surveillance of the high school and its surroundings against the possibility that out-of-town youths might turn up looking for trouble.

None did, although police did stop a car Thursday containing AHS students whose parents had called the school to say they were being kept home.

Police said the names of the youths, who apparently wanted to see if rumors of a confrontation were true, were turned over to school officials.

Proia said the constant rumors were upsetting people, and several parents have called The Sun Chronicle to report what they'd heard.

Worry over potential violence appeared to crest Thursday when more than 20 percent of high school students stayed away from class.

The absences occurred a day after school officials made an announcement to students and teachers concerning the rumors.

Parents and students said the reports appear to be connected with a scuffle between Attleboro and Pawtucket teens at Emerald Square mall earlier this month.

Two weeks ago, police met with high school and middle school students and asked them to avoid the mall because of reports of an impending `` rematch'' of rival teens.

Nothing happened then, either.