Police were bombarded with stones by a gang of youths as they hunted for guns at a Bradford house.

One officer suffered concussion and was today recovering in hospital.

Six others were injured during the violence in Horton Grange, Bradford, last night.

Police from Toller Lane, supported by an armed-response unit, raided the house in Waverley Road at 10pm last night.

Two guns were recovered, although police were unable to say what type they were.

The operation was carried out in connection with the fatal shooting of Dexter Coleman during clashes in Manningham earlier this month.

Mr Coleman, 27, was murdered at close range with a single shot from a .45 calibre handgun in Lumb Lane.

As last night's operation took place, a number of predominantly Asian youths gathered in the area. The crowd hurled stones at police and extra reinforcements had to be called in to restore calm. A spokesman said: "As a result of the disorder, seven officers sustained injuries. One officer remains detained in hospital, suffering from concussion.

"The remaining six were discharged after treatment for injuries ranging from bruising to a suspected broken nose."

Two local men aged 24 and 19 were arrested. Last night's violence followed the arrest of another two men in connection with the Coleman killing. A 21-year-old from West Bowling and 25-year-old from Girlington are being questioned.

Today West Yorkshire Assistant Chief Constable Steve Smith reassured Bradford residents the city is still a safe place to live, despite three shootings in ten days.

He said guns on the city streets were a major cause for concern and feared innocent people could get caught up in any future violence. But he added the shootings should be kept in perspective.

"Three shootings in a ten-day period is far too many, but it is not as if there are guns on every street corner in Bradford," he said. "You can look at these incidents and almost fear to go out on the streets of Bradford. I'm not underplaying things -- these are serious incidents. But these things tend to go in cycles. The fact is that, generally, Bradford is not a particularly dangerous place."

Yesterday the Shimla Kebab House in Great Horton was showered with bullets during a drive-by shooting. Detectives believe at least four shots were fired and possibly two guns -- a shotgun and handgun-- were used.

Four days after Dexter Coleman was killed, a 20-year-old man was shot in the leg with a small calibre firearm as he walked through the Lidget Green area of the city.

ACC Smith revealed he had made a commitment to Bradford's community leaders to catch those responsible for Mr Coleman's murder and bring them to justice.

"We catch murderers - that is not an idle boast, our record says that. Sometimes it takes time because it is difficult to piece all of the jigsaw together," he said.

But ACC Smith admitted criminals could get their hands on illegal guns if they were determined enough.

He said: "There is no question about it - there are a number of illegally held guns in circulation.

"Everything is in place that can be in place to try to restrict access to firearms. But the fact is if people are determined enough they are able to get possession of a firearm.

"However, the numbers are small. I would resist the temptation to say it is a growing trend."

Detectives say there is still no evidence to suggest the three shootings are in any way linked, or the disputes are connected to drugs.

ACC Smith said: "There is no question of the incidents in Bradford being random shootings at members of the public.

"I'm not suggesting that is okay - no-one deserves to be shot - but in terms of the incidents we've had in the last ten days they have been targeted offences.

"However, there has got to be a fear that innocent people will get caught up in the violence. Thankfully it hasn't happened to date, but there is always the potential."

He said one of the biggest problems facing the team of more than 50 officers trying to bring the culprits to justice was misinformation.

"In Bradford some people are putting two and two together and trying to make links that are not there," he said.

"People try to set communities against each other but these incidents normally come down to disputes between families or individuals.

"People have alliances - someone who perhaps has a dispute may well have other people on their side - but to try to make it out as a racial gang warfare is nonsense.

"That kind of suggestion is dangerous and it can be self-fulfilling."

l Police investigating yesterday's drive-by shooting have issued descriptions of two suspects.

The incident happened at 2.15am outside the Shimla Kebab House, Great Horton Road, Great Horton, and the shots came from a black Vauxhall SRI vehicle.

The front seat passenger is described as an Asian male, aged between 20 and 25, with a goatee beard, curly shoulder-length hair, possibly wearing a yellow sweatshirt.

The rear seat passenger is described as an African-Caribbean male, aged about 30, with long dreadlocks, a long goatee beard, wearing a baseball cap.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Toller Lane CID on Bradford 376280.