Police fire at car in drug raid

8:30am Saturday 19th July 2008

Shots were fired by police in a Bradford street during a major operation to smash a drugs supply ring.

The driver’s door window of a black Audi A6 was smashed by a gunshot during an arrest made by undercover officers in Shearbridge Road yesterday.

The occupant of the car, who was uninjured, was detained with his arms tied behind his head before being taken into custody Police later said six men, aged between 20 and 40, were arrested during the operation which also involved armed police raids in Wibsey, Horton Grange Road and Staveley Road, Bradford.

The suspects, said to be from Bradford and London, were being questioned last night on suspicion of being involved with the supply of Class A drugs.

A quantity of drugs was also seized, said the police spokesman.

The force confirmed shots were fired to stop the Audi in Shearbridge Road and officers had not aimed at the occupant.

One witness, a businessman who was driving past the scene, said his heart was pounding as he heard shots being fired after the black Audi had been boxed in by a black unmarked police Vauxhall Vectra.

The witness, who did not want to be named, said: “The traffic had stopped, there were two cars in front of me.

“I saw a black car had pulled across another car, police officers scrambled out of the car, there was shouting and then I was quite shocked because I heard what sounded like a loud cap gun going off.

“I have never heard a gun shot before and I saw a flash of light come from the other side of the car which had obviously stopped.

“There were four armed police officers with their guns which were not like normal pistols.

“The police guy who was looking at us ushered all the traffic to get through.

“My heart was pounding I have never experienced anything like it before in my life.

“It was unbelievable if I had not known better I would have thought it was a scene from a film.

“I don’t know if the car was moving at the time the shots were fired, but the black Vectra had pulled in front of it.”

Another witness who works nearby said he went to investigate after being told of the shootings.

“I walked over to see about ten plain clothes armed officers with police caps on standing around the man sitting on the floor at the back of the car with his hands tied behind his head,” said the man, who also did not want to be named.

“The driver’s door glass had been smashed, presumably by the shots.

“I couldn’t see if anyone had been hit but there was no ambulance so I presume no-one was.”

The police spokesman confirmed shots had been fired as a “recognised tactic” to disable the vehicle.

She added that the entire operation lasted from lunchtime until mid-afternoon.

Editor's choice

Editor's choice