A man was shot in the leg during an early hours incident on a Bradford street.

The victim is believed to have been blasted with a shotgun during the confrontation in St Mary’s Road, Manningham.

He is believed to have been driven to hospital by friends in a vehicle and was undergoing treatment at Bradford Royal Infirmary for non-life threatening injuries yesterday.

Three men were arrested in connection with the incident. One is thought to be the 30-year-old victim, who is under police guard in hospital.

A 30-year-old and a 40-year-old man, both from Bradford, remain in police custody.

Police were alerted shortly before 2am to reports of a shot being fired.

A police spokesman said that, following inquiries, they traced a man to BRI who had leg injuries consistent with him being shot by a shotgun.

The spokesman added: “The man’s injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

“We are working to establish the full circumstances of the incident. A search of the area has been carried out. Three men have been arrested in connection with the incident.”

The victim is from Bradford.

Detectives have seized three vehicles in connection with the inquiry.

The scene of the shooting – near to the Punjab Halal Meat shop, close to the junction with Oak Lane – was cordoned off by police yesterday and uniformed officers were standing guard.

Three bricks in the road had been covered by blue and white police tape and preserved for forensic examination.

Worried bosses of nearby businesses spoke of their concerns about living and working in the area.

The owner of one food shop, who did not want to be named, said he and his family used to live above the shop and in the house next door, but had moved out of the area a number of years ago.

He said: “We didn’t feel comfortable with the family here, particularly the children. We have been born and brought up in this area, but you have to watch your back now. There are plenty of idiots in the area.

“If you keep yourself to yourself, you wont have any problems.

“We were working until 10pm and when we left, everything was peaceful. I started getting calls about it in the morning. We heard there was more than one shot, most of the neighbours were talking about gunshots.”

The man welcomed the announcement that the North Bradford Neighbourhood Policing Team would now be working out of Lawcroft House police station in Lilycroft Road, rather than Shipley.

He said: “We haven’t seen enough police on the streets round here. They used to be walking up and down on foot patrol all the time. Officers being based at Lawcroft House will be good for the area.”

Another businessman, who owns a jewellery shop, said he also moved his family out of the area because of concern for their safety.

He said: “I haven’t had jewellery on display in my shop for a year. I keep it locked away. The police are doing what they can, but when offenders are taken to court they do not get sufficient punishment to deter them from committing more crime.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident, or has information to assist the investigation, is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Richard Smith, via 0845 6060606, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.