The police are quick to point out that the level of gun crime does not seem to be increasing despite the fact that there have been a number of high profile incidents in the area recently.

But the simple fact that there is any level of firearm incidents on our streets is frightening enough for most people, regardless of whether there were slightly more or fewer incidents than in previous years.

It is certainly true to say that in reality, the vast majority of us will never be unfortunate enough to come across gun crime in our lives.

Many incidents involving firearms seem to be gang related, involving disputes over territory escalating to bloody levels.

But, there have been occasions when innocent bystanders have been caught in the crossfire.

The fact that these incidents take place mean there are guns available on our streets, sometimes very easily and sometimes to very young people.

Recent court cases reported in this paper have shown there is an organised trade in firearms.

The police are today pledging to work with community leaders in a bid to stamp out this lethal scourge on our community, and are appealing for help from the public as well.

If you are able to help, please do. It might be an innocent person you know who ends up being caught in the crossfire one day.

It may be that the number of gun crimes has not changed dramatically from one year to the next.

But one shooting on the streets of the Bradford district is one too many.

All sections of the community must pull together to stamp out the use of guns to settle disputes once and for all, before an innocent person is badly hurt or worse.