Welcome to the Huddersfield Examiner's live blog.
It looks like there has been a serious police incident in the Dalton area last night (Thursday).
Armed police were called to the area around 9pm. Officers were seen on Cross Fields, while this morning Holays was cordoned off this morning near to the junction with Barnby Royd. A man was taken to hospital following the incident but has now been discharged.
A 22-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident.
Officers were also called to a street in Sheepridge after separate gunshot noises were heard.
See our updates below as they came in throughout the day.
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Key Events
Recap of events
Here’s a summary what we know about the incidents in Dalton and Sheepridge last night.
The full story can also be read here.
- Police were called after residents in Dalton heard gunshot noises shortly before 9pm last night
- Armed police attended after it was found a taxi had been shot at
- The driver of the taxi - an innocent bystander - was taken to hospital and later discharged. His injuries were not serious. It’s thought the shots were aimed at other people in the taxi
- Officers attended a house on nearby Cross Fields which they searched and a 22-year-old man was arrested. He is currently in police custody. Holays remained cordoned off this morning as enquiries continue
- About two hours later, residents reported hearing a gunshot noise in the Sheepridge area
- Officers attended New House Road and cordoned it off
- Police confirmed a car was shot at and damage was caused to one of its windows, although no one was injured
- The suspect(s) fled on foot - no one has been arrested in connection with this incident
Huddersfield shootings: Timeline of events
Here is a timeline of recent incidents in Huddersfield that have involved firearms...
12-year-old girl ran in terror after seeing shooting
The father of a 12-year-old girl says she saw the moment a taxi was shot at in Dalton.
The father, who wishes to stay anonymous, said: “From what she told me last night there were a group of 3 to 4 lads... shots were fired and her and her mates ran to a house on Harpe Inge as they were terrified for their safety.”
Barry Sheerman praises officers' response
MP Barry Sheerman has praised police for doing an excellent job - but says drugs and gang culture is to blame to for the recent spike in firearms incidents.
Elderly man saw armed police
No-one should have to put up with this on their doorsteps, let alone the elderly:
Shootings 'could have been fatal'
WYP now want to hear from anyone who may have seen or heard either of the incidents last night, saying either could have had devastating consequences.
Detective Chief Inspector Jaz Khan of the Firearms Prevent Team, said:
“We are appealing for information about both incidents last night and I also want to reassure residents that tackling recent firearms discharges in Kirklees is the top priority of the force’s Firearms Prevent Team, with support from HMET (Homicide & Major Enquiries Team).
“Both incidents could very easily have resulted in loss of life and those involved in this sort of offending should not be under any doubt as to how seriously we are treating it.
“We would very much like to speak to anyone who saw either incident or suspicious behaviour just prior to them, in the streets where they took place.
“Following enquiries we believe the suspects for the New House Road shooting were on foot and I would like to speak with anyone who saw men fleeing the scene on foot onto Belle Vue Crescent, and who may have seen these men getting into a vehicle.
“I would also like to speak with anyone who has CCTV footage of either firearms discharge. Reports can be made to the Firearms Prevent Team on 101. I also wish to stress that anyone who has information about these offences can make reports in complete anonymity to the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.”
Recent firearms offences are our "number one priority"
Chief Superintendent Steve Cotter, District Commander of Kirklees District Police, had this to say.
“We fully recognise the public’s concerns regarding recent firearms incidents in the area and I want to reassure communities that police are taking them exceptionally seriously.
“Investigating recent firearms offences is my absolute number one priority as District Commander and our detectives are working closely with specialist officers to bring those involved to justice.
“Residents will continue to see increased armed patrols in Huddersfield and continued proactive disruption tactics against those suspected of involvement in gun and drugs crime.
“I wish to stress that we do believe the overwhelming majority of these incidents are being targeted by individuals involved in criminal activity against each other, and we are determined to being these offenders to justice.
“Currently we have a situation where a small number of people are causing a hugely disproportionate amount of serious crime in our communities and we will not allow this to continue.”
Taxi driver was caught up in shooting
Police have confirmed that the man injured in last night’s shooting in Dalton was an innocent taxi driver.
We are happy to report he has not been seriously hurt.
No one injured in Sheepridge shooting
Police have also confirmed they attended a separate shooting in the Sheepridge area.
A spokesperson said: In another incident officers were called to New House Road at about 10.04pm to a report of a second discharge. Officers have recovered a VW Golf car from the scene which has damage consistent with a gunshot.
No-one was injured in the shooting and it is believed the suspects were on foot and fled onto Belle Vue Crescent, possibly later getting into a vehicle.
No one has been arrested in connection with this, as far as we are aware.
Man injured in Dalton incident
A man was taken to hospital and another arrested following the incident in Dalton last night.
Police have confirmed they were called to Holays at 8.52pm after a gun was fired at a car.
A man in the car suffered non-life threatening injuries and was treated in hospital before being discharged. It’s believed the discharge was targeted against other occupants of the vehicle, and the injured man was not involved.
Armed officers then searched a house on Cross Fields in connection with this, and searched continue there and at other undisclosed locations today.
A 22-year-old man has now been arrested in connection with the Holays shooting and is in custody.
Claims taxi driver was 'shot at' in Dalton
This allegation has been echoed by another resident who spoke to us, although nothing has been confirmed yet by police.
Gunshot noise left children terrified
Stephanie has been speaking to residents in Sheepridge, one of whom said the noise left his young grandchildren terrified:
Picture shows armed police in what appears to be a seige in Dalton
This picture is currently circulating on social media and reported to show armed police in a garden of a house on Cross Fields, off Holays, just before 10pm last night.
Crime scene is next to a primary school
The scene cordoned off by police in the Deighton area (although by the looks of things it looks more like Sheepridge) is opposite a primary school, Stephanie says.
This is Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School, on Bradley Boulevard.
Reporter on the scene in Deighton
Reporter Stephanie is now on the scene in Deighton, which is also cordoned off.
Deighton resident heard 'loud bang'
Here’s what one resident said he heard in the Deighton area after reports of a gunshot noise last night...
The eye-witness on Wiggan Lane said he heard a shot around 10pm and shortly afterwards the place was swarming with police and armed officers.
He said: “I heard the shot and at first did not think much of it as we heard similar noises sometimes. About an hour later I could see flashing blue lights through my curtains and when I looked out of the window there was a lot of police and I saw one of them with a gun. The scene was taped off and the police helicopter was up.Not so long later a tow truck came and towed a car away but it did not seem to be damaged in any way. The police are still here now.”
According to reports, police were on Wiggan Lane and New House Road. We are currently waiting on a response from police.
Residents thought gunshot noises were fireworks
Residents in Dalton have been talking to us.
One said: “There were three shots. We thought it was fireworks at first.”
Further reports of gunshot noises in Deighton
As mentioned - residents in the Deighton area have also reported hearing gunshot noises last night.
It’s thought this happened later in the evening after the incident in Dalton, at around 11.30pm, on Wiggan Lane. We’ve approached police over this.
WATCH: Live at the scene on Holays
Martin is currently live at the scene.
Follow the broadcast below or head to our Facebook page once it’s finished.
Video from the scene
Some footage from the scene where police have cordoned off a section of Holays in Dalton near to the junction with Barnby Royd.
Neighbours heard three gun shots
Residents have reported hearing gunshot noises at around 8pm last night.
A neighbour told the Examiner: “I heard about three gunshot noises.” We are also hearing reports of a similar incident in the Brackenhall area last night.
News editor at the scene
News editor Martin is currently at the scene in Dalton this morning where police are in attendance.
We’ve contacted West Yorkshire Police for information on this incident.
