Children taken hostage in Kirklees twin town Besancon
Dec 14 2010 by Barry Gibson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner
THE Mayor of Kirklees contacted his opposite number in a French city as an armed teenager took young children hostage.
A 17-year-old wielding two swords took a class of children hostage at a nursery in Besancon yesterday.
The 20 youngsters, aged between four and six, were released unharmed and the teenager arrested following the three-hour ordeal.
The French city has been twinned with Huddersfield for 55 years.
Yesterday the Mayor of Kirklees Clr Andrew Palfreeman said he had contacted his opposite number in Besancon, Jean-Louis Fousseret.
“I was very shocked when I heard what had happened,” he said.
“I sent a message of support to the Mayor of Besancon.
“I’m very relieved that the incident has ended without any injury to any child and that the young man responsible has been arrested.”
The drama began around 8.30am French time when the teenager entered Charles Fourier School with two swords. He took the class of children and their teacher hostage.
Mr Fousseret told reporters that the teenager had been treated for depression but had not taken his medication in recent days.
