Reports of gunshots, explosions and armed police confirmed as Birkdale High School police training drill

Reports of 'gunshots' and 'explosions' at the former Birkdale High School in Dewsbury have been confirmed as a police training drill.

By Abbey Maclure

Published 6th Feb 2020, 15:18 GMT

Updated 6th Feb 2020, 15:20 GMT

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A worried neighbour reported seeing armed police at the former secondary school, on Wheelwright Drive, before hearing gunshots and explosions.

Shaheez Iqbal tweeted: "Awful lot of activity in Birkdale High School, gunshots, explosions, armed police.

"Worried neighbour, what's going on?"

A spokeswoman for West Yorkshire Police has confirmed the empty premises is being used for a police training exercise.

Birkdale High School was closed by Kirklees Council in 2011.

Remaining students were transferred to nearby Westborough High School and the school campus has remained empty since the closure.