Police yesterday seized an arsenal of weapons from a house during a series of raids as part of a major crime crackdown in Bradford.

The lethal cache, which included swords, crossbows and knives, was discovered as police searched one of the properties.

Seven people were arrested as officers swooped on ten addresses as part of Operation Viper.

During the first day of an intensive week of action, specialist teams worked alongside neighbourhood policing officers, CID teams and Viper officers.

They executed ten search warrants, with seven people being taken into custody.

Following a search of one property in Allison Lane, Bolton Woods, a number of air weapons, crossbows, swords, knives and two CS canisters were recovered.

A 28-year-old man was arrested on firearms offences.

A 49-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman were arrested at a property in Sewell Road, Laisterdyke, after suspected crack cocaine, with an estimated street value of £800, was found in a kitchen cupboard.

Further arrests included a 45-year-old man, of Elsdon Grove, Little Horton, who was taken into custody on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class B drugs after officers uncovered about a kilogram of cannabis at the property.

Two other people have also been arrested in connection with three burglaries and one man was taken into custody on suspicion of cannabis possession.

Chief Superintendent Dickie Whitehead, who leads Operation Viper, said: “This week is just one of a number of proactive tactics we are employing as we aim to turn the fear of crime on to criminals themselves.

“The week of action in Bradford follows on from a similar operation in Leeds that helped to reduce incidents of burglary by more than 20 per cent. The seizure of Class A and B drugs removes them from the local market place and recovery of the cache of weapons is something that makes the streets of Bradford a safer place for people.”

Operation Viper was set up by West Yorkshire Police last year to target the perpetrators of violent crime and prolific criminals like drug dealers and burglars. During raids across Bradford last November officers swooped on up to 50 houses, arresting about 70 criminals. Guns, drugs, cash and suspected stolen property were seized.