A major police investigation is under way in Bradford today after a series of linked incidents - including some where a firearm was reported to have been seen.

Detectives are trying to piece together exactly what happened amid a number of reports and different potential crime scenes.

In one of the incidents, a man was reportedly shot at before having his car stolen following a crash on a Bradford street. 

The incident occurred following a collision between a black Peugeot and a brown Seat Leon on Shearbridge Road just after 6.30pm last night. 

Police said there were reports that following the crash, the occupants of the Peugeot discharged a firearm at the driver of the Leon.

The Leon driver fled the scene on foot before later returning to find that his car had been stolen. 

The incident had started when officers were alerted to reports of a black Peugeot travelling along Morley Street, on the edge of Bradford city centre, with a shotgun on the back seat.

A short time after the crash in Shearbridge Road, the Leon was then involved in a collision on Listerhills Road, with witnesses again describing possibly seeing a shotgun.

The Peugeot was later discovered burnt out on Priestman Street, Manningham, just after 9.45pm. Burn marks were visible on the road when the Tel;egraph & Argus visited the scene today.

A spokesman for the fire crew from Fairweather Green said the car had been deliberately destroyed, with two people seen running away from the vehicle when firefighters arrived. 

Police say a cordon on Laisteridge Lane (pictured below), which remains in place this afternoon, is also linked to the investigation.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Spencer of Protective Services (Crime), said: "At the moment we are trying to piece together exactly what has happened, as there are a number of different reports and scenes that we are investigating.

"I would appeal directly to anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity to call police on 101, quoting log 1340 of September 1."

A piece of police tape from the earlier cordon and small car parts could be seen on the charred road yesterday at the location where the car was set alight in Priestman Street.
Residents spoke of their shock at seeing the car on fire just yards from their homes. 
One woman, who did not wish to be identified, said: “It’s scary and it was shocking to see it. I could see a police car and the fire. It was bad seeing it so close.”
Another resident said: “The area was taped off. The flames were really high."
But another resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “We are used to car fires on this road. It is happening every few months at night. This is Bradford.”

 
Councillor Shabir Hussain (Lab, Manningham) spoke of his shock at hearing about the number of related incidents, adding gun-related crimes seem to be on the rise in Bradford. 
He said: “How are these people getting hold of these guns? They should be blocked. This is dangerous. 
“We are hearing more and more of these types of crimes happening in Bradford and across the country. 
“This is getting to a shocking level and it must have been distressing for the residents in Priestman Street.”
Police were unable to give an update last night.