RESIDENTS living near a street where a gun was fired on Saturday night claim a lack of policing in the neighbourhood has led to gatherings of gangs and drug dealers.

One resident, who has lived in Binnie Street for more than 20 years, said Saturday’s shooting was becoming all too familiar.

Police confirmed they were called to reports of a firearms discharge at a vehicle in Binnie Street at about 11.55pm on April 1.

Officers found a parked van had sustained gunshot damage. They are seeking a black Volkswagen Golf which was seen in the area at the time.

A 33-year-old man was arrested in connection with the incident and has been bailed pending further inquiries.

The resident, who did not want to be named, added: “You see people of all races dealing at all times of the day or night but you can’t say too much or get involved because you fear you may become a target.

"I would love to move my family from here but my children are at the schools.

"All the time things are getting worse. Soon it will be like Syria.

“Yesterday they used stones, today it’s guns and tomorrow it could be grenades and I fear innocent people will get in the cross-fire.

A resident of Harewood Street, who has lived there for 35 years, said drugs were a major problem.

“I think the police could do a lot more but we don’t see them. I haven’t seen a police patrol car or a PSCO for years. Gangs gather because they have nothing to fear.”

Councillor Hassan Khan (Lab, Bowling and Barkerend) said he too was sure the shooting had been drugs-related.

“I’m not surprised by this at all,” he said. “Residents in that area have been reporting drug dealing taking place for a long time and no action has been taken.

“You can drive down streets like Feather Road every night and see vehicles stopped and people blocking the road.

“Residents are telling me that they are terrified. The police need to take this extremely seriously and get the matter in hand before it gets out of control.”

Councillor Rizwana Jamil (Lab, Bowling and Barkerend) said the only contact she had received from police was to confirm that a firearm had been involved in the incident.

“It is very concerning, and the community in that area needs to feel safe,” she said.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “We are carrying out high visibility reassurance patrols in the area and are continuing to appeal for information.

"Anybody who has information is asked to contact Bradford CID on 101 quoting crime reference 13170149021."