West Yorkshire Police moves to reassure residents after spate of gun-related crimes across the Bradford district

Armed officers were deployed on separate streets twice on Monday, leading to the arrest of a man on suspicion of a firearms offence.

It followed other incidents in the last week which saw two firearms discharges in a residential area of Windhill, Shipley, and shots reportedly fired at a motorist in Shearbridge Road, Bradford, after police saw a shotgun on the back seat of a car in the city centre.

Police were also called to another incident in Shipley after reports of a firearm being seen, though no weapon was discharged.

Shipley MP Philip Davies (Con) said: “It is a massive concern for incidents like this to be happening across the district.

“I am sure police will treat it as seriously as I do. I hope they can stamp it out as quickly as possible.”

Nick Smart, chairman of West Yorkshire Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file police officers, said some individuals were prepared to use weapons as part of their criminality.

Mr Smart said: “Crime has changed. It is no longer like Dixon of Dock Green. There are individuals who are prepared to use firearms.

“But we will respond with highly trained and select officers who will do their utmost professionally to keep the public, and their colleagues, safe in Bradford and West Yorkshire.”

Mr Smart said the West Yorkshire force was increasing the number of its firearms officers to meet the threat of terrorism and respond to firearms incidents.

“Firearms are becoming more prevalent with certain elements of the criminal community. Having said that, members of the public shouldn’t be concerned they are going to be targeted. They should be reassured that firearms officers are out there to protect them.”

The incidents - which have not led to anyone being injured - came as a villain was jailed for 18 years after minding an arsenal of lethal weapons, including a replicaUzi sub-machine gun and dum dum expanding bullets, for criminals in Bradford.

Yesterday, Bradford West MP Naz Shah raised the gun crime issue in Bradford with the district’s divisional commander, Chief Superintendent Simon Atkin.

Ms Shah (Lab) said: “I have spoken to the chief superintendent regarding this issue and I am assured they are working very swiftly to make sure the streets of Bradford are gun free and that the safety of the public is paramount.

“I have been reassured that West Yorkshire Police has moved really quickly and there were arrests made yesterday.

“They have assured me, despite this spike in gun crime, that they are doing all they can, and I have no reason to think the police are not doing their job.

“They would welcome any intelligence from the public about gun crimes. I encourage anyone who has any intelligence about such incidents to get in touch with the police. I support them in their efforts to clear Bradford of any guns.”

In the latest incident, on Monday evening, a 24-year-old Bradford man was arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence after armed police swooped on the Flappit pub, at Flappit Springs, near Cullingworth.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said the man was not in possession of a firearm at the time of his arrest, but was identified by officers.

Barman Aiden Field said: “It was quite bizarre. I served the man a drink. Then the police sent a dog in. There were lots of police vans outside. There were around eight armed police outside. They had it controlled.”

Police said the arrest related to an incident in the Lower Grange area of Bradford on August 29, when a firearm was reported to have been seen. The man remains in custody.

Last week, damage was done to the door frame of a house in Marlott Road, Windhill, when shots were fired. Police were also called minutes later to nearby West Royd Avenue after reports of a firearm being discharged. A number of arrests have been made in connection with the incident.

The following day, shots were reported to have been fired at a driver during a two-car crash in Shearbridge Road, which happened soon after police saw a shotgun on the back seat of a similar car.

Three men, arrested on suspicion of affray after reports of a firearm being seen in Sleningford Grove, Shipley, have been released without charge.

Detective Chief Inspector Gary Hooks, of Bradford District Police, said: “Incidents involving the reported use of firearms are treated very seriously and West Yorkshire Police is committed to reducing these to ensure that people who live, work and visit the county remain safe.

“Investigations are continuing into the recent incidents and a number of suspects have been arrested as enquiries progress.

“Those who involve themselves in the illegal use of firearms need to be removed from our neighbourhoods and it is important that we continue to work with communities and partners to identify, arrest and convict anyone who is involved in gun crime.”

MORE FIREARMS OFFICERS TO BE RECRUITED

West Yorkshire Police has revealed it will employ an extra 50 specialist firearms officers.

The new employees will increase the number of firearms officers to more than 180 - the highest it has been in the last ten years.

In 2015/16, West Yorkshire Police had 133 firearms officers.

Now it will get funding for an additional 24 counter terrorist specialist firearms officers (CTFSO).

A police spokesman said the force would also be funding an extra 26 authorised firearms officers itself.

The CTFSOs will help provide a response to incidents in West Yorkshire, the North-East, and sometimes nationally.

The additional 26 firearms officers funded by the force will be deployed in armed response vehicles across West Yorkshire, and will also be able to respond to terrorist threats outside the county.

A spokesman for the force said: “West Yorkshire Police welcomes the uplift in the number of police-authorised firearms officers as an important step in protecting the public and keeping them safe.

“West Yorkshire Police will receive funding for an additional 24 CTFSOs who will work alongside existing CTFSOs in providing a response to incidents in West Yorkshire, the North-East region ,and as part of the national counter terrorism network.

“The force will fund an additional 26 authorised firearms officers (AFO) who will be deployed in armed response vehicles in West Yorkshire, and also able to respond to a terrorist threat outside the county.”

In 2007/08, West Yorkshire Police had 147 firearms officers, 12 more than the 135 budgeted for.

In the following years, the numbers were: 2008/09 - 135 (135 budgeted for); 2009/10 - 156 (140); 2010/11 - 140 (144); 2011/12 - 156 (148); 2012/13 - 151 (147); 2013/14 - 153 (143); 2014/15 - 128 (131); 2015 - 133 (151).

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “In the years between 2007/08 and 2013/14, the number of armed officers recorded has been calculated as the number of officers posted as firearms officers and firearms trainers, and also included officers who have been trained as AFOs but working within district policing prior to being posted onto the operational firearms teams.

“This explains why the number of trained officers has, on occasion, exceeded the budgeted posts.

“From 2014/15, the number of firearms officers was reduced to achieve savings through the police’s Comprehensive Spending Review and, in response to an increased threat level, the number of officers was reduced, with all trained officers now posted to the operational firearms team.

“In 2015/16, West Yorkshire Police has been working towards an uplift of firearms officers in line with other forces nationally.”

The force said that as of March this year, there were 133 firearms officers, with a further 12 people taking part in training courses to become firearms officers.