A MAJOR investigation into the disappearance of a missing Bradford woman has been linked to a large police presence at an industrial site on Thornbury Road in Laisterdyke.

West Yorkshire Police have made a number of arrests in connection with the disappearance of Somaiya Begum, 20, who was last seen at her home address on Binnie Street in Barkerend on Saturday afternoon at around 2pm.

There have been no confirmed sightings or contact from her since and police are treating her disappearance as unexplained.

Extensive enquiries are being carried out and a number of scenes are in place across the district, including a large operation at Thornbury Road and a smaller scene on Binnie Street.

A major police operation has been underway on Thornbury Road today - with a cordon and a forensic tent in place. 

The cordon was set up in the car park of an industrial estate opposite the Islamic Cultural and Educational Association mosque.

Police officers were seen standing guard at the cordon and a tent has been put up outside several shipping containers inside the industrial estate.

A man who works in the area said: "It's really shocking, there's a lot of people who work in the area who have been scared.

"Police have been here before in regards to other things but when they were here for a couple of days and what we've now heard it's really shocking and upsetting."

One person who works close to the scene said that there has been a police presence for three days.

People have not been able to access the car park.

There has been an increase in police activity in the area throughout the day, including the arrival of crime scene investigators.

Cllr Zafar Iqbal (Lab, Bradford Moor) has expressed his concern for residents in the wider Bradford Moor and Bowling and Barkerened area while the police presence continues. 

He said: "There are no wider concerns for the community, as residents will see an increased policing presence in the area.

"These will be neighbourhood officers deployed to reassure and engage with the community."

Somaiya Begum is described as an Asian female, slim build with black hair. She was last seen wearing black denim jeans, a black top and a black head scarf.

Police are appealing for anyone who has any information about Somaiya’s disappearance to get in touch.

Information can be given to police via the live chat options at westyorkshire.police.uk/contactus or 101 or in an emergency 999 quoting log 764 of June 26.

Information can also be given to Crimestoppers anonymously via 0800 555 111.