Is Bradford turning out just like London, seems like it to me... PS If anyone knows Bradford they will know the areas where the shooting have been are prodominantly asian and black areas!! Does that make me a racist?

Shootings in Bradford have been occurring almost on a weekly basis since last May, but police chiefs are anxious to assure the public that these are targeted attacks between rival factions and pose no threat to innocent people.

Firearms were discharged 23 times in the Bradford district in the past year, seven times resulting in injuries and twice in deaths.
But police are confident that tough new tactics will stop gunmen in their tracks.

Specially-trained firearms officers, working alongside local Neighbourhood Policing Teams, are using stop and search powers to swoop on suspects and seize their guns before they are able to use them.

Superintendent Dickie Whitehead is not complacent about the public perception of gun crime but wants to keep it in perspective.

“One shooting is one too many,” he said. “I recognise and understand the concern the public have, which is clear – what if the gunmen miss their intended target and hit a member of the public?

“It is with that in mind that I would urge each and every member of the community to give us the opportunity to prevent such offences by enabling our officers to disrupt and deter anyone in possession of a firearm before any offence occurs.

“It is important that we work with local communities to target anyone who is involved in any kind of crime with guns.

“We want the public to feel safe within Bradford and getting guns off the streets will contribute to this.”

Since the turn of the year there have been nine shooting incidents in the city, and a further four in the final week of 2008.

They included an incident at a house in Leeds Road, Thornbury, in January, when bullets were sent ricocheting round the kitchen while a family slept upstairs.

In the same month a man was shot in the buttock outside a shop in North Parade in the city centre’s Rawson Quarter.

The street was busy with shoppers and workers on their way home at the time of the 5.30pm incident.

Five men were arrested and bailed on suspicion of conspiracy to murder.
There have been two shootings this month. On March 14, a masked gunman fired several shots into the office of Jenny’s Private Hire taxi firm, in Halifax Road, Buttershaw, in broad daylight. Three members of staff had to dive for cover.

Five days later a 21-year-old man was shot in the chest at a car sales plot in Sticker Lane, Laisterdyke.

He has now been released from hospital and two men in their 20s have been bailed in connection with the incident.

Supt Whitehead said: “The firearms incidents across the Bradford district in recent weeks are still few and far between.

“While they were targeted attacks, it is clearly unacceptable for people to be using guns on the streets of Bradford.

“These are not random or indiscriminate attacks. The picture that is emerging is one of disputes between various elements of the Bradford criminal fraternity.

“Our information suggests a variety of reasons for the disputes, some of which are connected with criminal activity, including drugs, and there are other suggestions of more minor disputes about property and relationships.
“We are pursuing some very specific inquiries to bring those involved to justice.

“My message to anyone who is carrying, or planning to use, a firearm across the Bradford district is that we will be stop searching those suspected of these types of offences and they can expect a prison sentence when found in possession of a firearm.

“Specially-trained firearms officers will be utilised to stop-search those suspects who are a clearly posed threat to their intended victim, the public, and, indeed, the police.

“We will act on any information with regard to the location of firearms to recover them prior to their transportation or use.”
Police are also urging young gunmen to say no when asked to carry out shootings for other people.

Supt Whitehead said: “It is important we don’t sensationalise the use of firearms as this creates further fear within our communities and serves to glamorise negative role models in the eyes of the young and impressionable.

“In reality, those who resort to firearms commit the most cowardly act and are often those who seek status and favour that is lacking due to their own inadequacies.

“Such people are easily persuaded and used to do other people’s dirty work. I would urge those people to say ‘no’ and to contact the police.”
Supt Whitehead said there had been one shooting death in the past year, that of Damian Gordon, at Club Icon in Westgate, Bradford city centre, last August. Six Manchester men were arrested in connection with the murder and are due to go on trial later this year.

The other death linked to firearms was that of Shoaib Khan, 32, who was stabbed to death after firing shots from a car in Manningham last May.
Supt Whitehead said it was a prime example that carrying or using a firearm can lead to the gunman losing his life.


“Carrying a gun for protection is never the answer,” he said. “It serves to fuel more violence. Carrying a gun can result in death.”

• Click here for a map of the shooting incidents

"Police vow to crack down on rival gang shootings" - how many times have we heard that over the years, and what's actually been done about it? A difficult one ... tick, tick ... ah yes, nothing