THREE men were arrested in raids by armed officers investigating a shooting in a Bradford street.

They were held at gunpoint on suspicion of firearms offences when police swooped at a number of addresses in the city at about 2am yesterday.

Police mounted the operation as part of the investigation into a shooting in Ellis Street, Little Horton, late at night on February 9.

Two other people, a 34-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman, have already been arrested in connection with the incident and released on bail while inquiries continue.

One of the addresses raided yesterday was a house in Briarwood Avenue, Wibsey.

A man arrested there is understood to be a minicab driver for Local Cars, which has a base in Brownroyd Hill Road, Wibsey.

Officers attended the minicab's offices as part of the investigation although no arrests were made there.

Another address raided as part of the operation is believed to be a house in Thornton Lane, Little Horton, where it is understood a relative of the minicab driver was arrested.

Police said the operation was carried out in connection to the incident in Ellis Street when a number of shots were fired at a front window of a property at about 11.30pm on February 9. No-one was injured.

Acting Detective Inspector Shaun Bartram, of Protective Services (Crime), said: "Warrants were executed at a number of addresses in the Bradford area yesterday morning in connection with an ongoing investigation after shots were fired at a house in Ellis Street, Bradford, on February 9.

"Three men, aged 25, 25 and 29, were arrested on suspicion of firearm possession offences.

"Two other people, a 34-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman, have already been arrested in connection with this incident and released on bail."

One resident of Briarwood Avenue, who did not want to be named, said of the raid: "It was pretty scary.

"Policemen were hidden between cars and pointing guns. I'm in a bit of shock.

"I saw people being taken one at a time into police vans.

"It was at about 2am.

"I just heard the police shouting for people to come out with their hands up."

Another Briarwood Avenue resident, who also did not want to be named, said: "It woke me up.

"I'm still feeling sick about it this afternoon. What's going on? What am I living near?

"It really scared me."

Today, Local Cars owner Maqsood Zaman confirmed one of the men arrested in the raids works for his firm but he stressed his business was not involved in any criminality.

Mr Zaman said: "My business has nothing to do with these incidents. 

“Our office was visited by police as a routine part of their investigations. Officers are investigating an individual, not the business but we will work with police to help them in any way we can.”

Police today said the three men who were arrested had been released on bail pending further inquires.