DETECTIVES are appealing for information after a firearm was discharged in Leeds earlier this week.

The incident happened at a house on Town Street, Beeston on Monday night, where officers found damage to a front door which was consistent with a shotgun discharge.

The findings came in the aftermath of two other incidents in the area.

At 8.55pm last night, officers were called to an address on Bismarck Street, where a group of males armed with weapons had caused damage to a property and to a parked car in nearby Waverley Garth.

While officers were at the scene, they received information about another incident, this time on Town Street, Beeston.

It had happened at around 11.15pm, where a group of males had caused damage and started a fire at the address.

Following this, officers found out about Monday's incident at the same address - which had not been reported to police - examing the damage and discovering the shotgun discharge.

The incidents are under investigation and scenes are in place around the addresses to undergo forensic examination and specialist searches.

Detective Chief Inspector Sharron Kaye, of West Yorkshire Police Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: “Our enquiries remain at an early stage, but we believe these incidents are likely to be linked and to have been targeted attacks.

“We are carrying out extensive enquiries to establish the full circumstances and to identify and arrest those responsible.

“We would like to hear from anyone who witnessed any part of these incidents, particularly the firearm discharge at the address on Town Street on Monday night, or who has any information that could assist the investigation.

“Offences such as these, involving the criminal use of firearms, cannot be tolerated and will always attract the highest level of investigation from specialist detectives.

“We recognise that incidents of this nature will cause understandable concern in the community and we are liaising with our district colleagues and the local neighbourhood policing team, who are increasing their presence in the area to reassure people.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives via 101, quoting Operation Pomona, or online via www.westyorkshire.police.uk/101livechat.

Information can also be given anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.