POLICE cars, riot vans and a helicopter were called to Kirk Balk school last Friday.
Officers with sniffer dogs were also there when a suspected burglar was spotted in the area hours after a series of break-ins across Hoyland.
Up to six cars and more than ten officers attended the scene. They searched the school and its surroundings, including the Tesco Express opposite, but were unsuccessful.
The drama followed a night of crime. Burglars broke into The Gate Inn and several cars in the West Street area. A purse was taken from a house on Rother Croft. There was an attempted break in at Walkers newsagent and Sammy’s at Platts Common.
Intelligence suggested at least one of the suspects had entered school grounds.
Police swooped on the area just as pupils were arriving for registration at 8.20am. Rumours swept through school a gunman or escaped convict was on the premises leaving a number of pupils in tears.
