Neighbours react after shooting on Bierley street

• Forensic officers comb through building as part of shooting investigation
• Two men arrested in connection with shooting

PEOPLE living on a residential street where shots were fired at a house in a "targeted" attack have spoken of their concern. 

Police were called to the scene, on Coleshill Way, Bierley, this morning to reports of criminal damage to the window of a house.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: "Officers attended the address and established the damage was consistent with bullet holes.

"A scene is currently in place whilst a forensic examination in undertaken. Enquiries are ongoing."

One neighbour, who asked not to be named, said she heard three or four loud bangs, which she thought were fireworks. 

It's understood a young family, including children, live in the house and the neighbour said she could not think why anyone would want to do this to them, but there had been police activity there from the early hours of last Monday into the afternoon. 

She said of the street: “It’s quiet, the families are nice, there’s not really been that many problems.

“It’s very worrying, especially for the people on the street who have got young children.”

Other neighbours also reported hearing loud bangs, which they thought were fireworks. 

One man who lives nearby said he didn’t think much of it at the time and went back to sleep, but woke up to police cars and cordons.

He told the Telegraph & Argus that he has lived there for four years and has never known anything like this happen.

He said: “It’s very worrying and it could have happened to anybody.”

Councillor Alan Wainwright (Lab, Tong), whose ward covers the area, said: “I’m absolutely appalled. Really, I’m speechless.”

He added: “You’ve got to put your faith in the police that they are going to pull out all the stops to catch the perpetrators.”

What have police said about the incident?

Detective Chief Inspector Vanessa Rolfe, who is leading the investigation, said: “We believe that this was a targeted incident and there is not a risk to the wider public. Our enquiries remain ongoing to establish the full circumstances.

“Incidents involving firearms are understandably distressing to the local communities and high visibility patrols will be deployed into the area today and the following days to provide support and reassurance to residents.

“I would urge anyone who has any information or witnessed anything in the area to come forward to assist with our enquiries.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident, or saw anything suspicious in the area, is urged to contact the police via 101 or via the 101 Live Chat facility on the West Yorkshire Police website quoting crime reference number 13200524964.

Information can also be passed to independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.