Boy, 12, shot at Huddersfield community centre in front of terrified children at gymnastics class
A 12-YEAR-OLD boy is today in a serious condition after being shot in front a terrified kids at a gymnastics class in Huddersfield last night.
Cops rushed to the Northfield Hall community centre in Sheepridge just after 7pm following reports of a shooting.
The youngster was found with injuries "consistent with a firearms discharge" and has been taken to hospital.
He remains in hospital for treatment for serious, non-life threatening injuries.
One terrified mum said: "My daughter was in there doing gymnastics at the time.
"It was very frightening for us parents while the police decided it was safe for them to come out."
The suspects are believed to have fled the scene in a BMW. This was later found burnt out in the Huddersfield area.
12-YEAR-OLD VICTIM
Locals claim trouble started inside Northfield Hall where food is served and youths meet for gymnastics, cheerleading and other sports.
One local resident, who didn’t wish to be identified, said: "I was downstairs and heard a loud bang and thought it was my kids upstairs at first.
“I heard screaming and shouting and a car being driven away.
“This morning I heard that someone came to the centre with a machete and that then the BMW turned up with people in it and the little lad got shot."
Detective Chief Inspector Vanessa Rolfe, from West Yorskhire Police, is desperately appealing for witnesses.
She said: "This level of violence is clearly a cause for concern, especially given the age of the victim and that it happened at a community centre.
"Extensive enquiries are underway by a team of specialist detectives in the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team.
This level of violence is clearly a cause for concern, especially given the age of the victim and that it happened at a community centre.
West Yorkshire Police
"Our local neighbourhood policing teams will be maintaining a visible policing presence to offer reassurance to communities."
Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman today declared a war on drug dealers in the town.
He said: "I am totally shocked and horrified that a 12-year-old boy has been shot.
"It really is time for an unremitting war on drug dealers and I am going to talk to Huddersfield’s Chief of Police, Julie Sykes very shortly regarding what has happened here last night.
"I am very concerned indeed about what is happening in our communities and we have to make sure that the police have the resources to crack down on these drug dealers."
Huddersfield hit the headlines last year after a documentary series revealed the dark side of the market town.
Worrying figures showed 200 firearm-related incidents were reported in and around the town in less than four years.
TROUBLED TOWN
Youngsters said they can get hold of guns with a simple phone call, and stabbings are commonplace, often the bloody result of drug turf wars.
News of the town's dark underbelly was revealed after West Yorkshire was dubbed the UK's "crime capital" in December.
Sun Online analysis showed residents there were most at risk of becoming victims of crime.
In November, a mayor's son-in-law was shot three times as he sat in a car outside a Sainsbury's near Huddersfield.
Ex-Olympic boxing hopeful Hamza Hussain, 22, was rushed to hospital after the shooting unfolded in Liversedge - just seven miles north of the town.
The following month armed cops sealed off a festival in the town following reports of gunshots.
Cops say the shots were discharged on Great Northern Street as the carnival passed through town.
