Police have arrested eight people after a drugs swoop near Huddersfield town centre.

West Yorkshire Police descended upon a former commercial premises on Nile Street – close to the River Colne – as part of a planned operation.

It came amid an investigation into suspected drugs offending.

The incident sparked a huge emergency response due to the scale of the premises and its location next to the water.

A large number of officers arrived on the scene including a specialist underwater search team.

Armed officers and other specialist resources were also deployed due to information police received.

Eight men were arrested at the site in connection with the operation and they remain in police custody.

A large police scene remains in place with the cordon extending into St Thomas’ Road.

Several PCSOs can be seen patrolling a section of the road.

Kirklees College was put into lockdown as the dramatic scenes unfolded.

A spokesperson for Kirklees College said: “Due to a police incident close to our Huddersfield Centre, we were placed in a lockdown. All students due to attend today should come into college as normal.”

One worried man told the Telegraph & Argus that his partner’s class at Kirklees College had been told not to leave the room.

Police statement in full

A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said: "Kirklees Police conducted a planned operation at a former commercial premises on Nile Street Huddersfield today (December 13) as part of an investigation into suspected drugs offending.

"Due to the scale of the premises, and its location next to water, a large number of officers were deployed including a specialist underwater search team.

"Owing to information received, armed officers and other specialist resources were also deployed.

"Eight men were arrested at the location in connection with the operation and are now in police custody.

"Police scenes remain in place as the operation continues."

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