Extra police presence in Chapeltown following firearms incident

Police patrols are being stepped up in the Chapeltown area after a firearm was discharged and a man was threatened in his car before it was stolen.

Officers were called to Spencer Place at around 4:30pm on Saturday (5th August) following reports of an altercation between a group of men, with one allegedly carrying a small handgun.

There was a firearms discharge which caused damage to a nearby ground floor flat window

The group then fled the scene on foot to the rear of Harehills Avenue where a man who was sitting in his car- a black Honda Civic X registration plate- was threatened by the group and they drove off with his car.

High visibility patrols have been deployed to the area to reassure the communities.

The vehicle was later found abandoned on Oakwell Crescent, where it is believe the suspects left in another car.

Detective Chief Inspector Jaz Khan of the Force Firearms Prevent Team, said: “We are appealing for any information in relation to this incident at the weekend. Officers have been conducting extensive enquiries since Saturday, including house-to-house and CCTV enquiries to establish the circumstances.

"We fully understand the public's concerns regarding any firearms incident and I want to reassure communities that West Yorkshire Police takes all firearms incidents very seriously. High visibility patrols have been deployed to the area to reassure the communities.

“We have specialist officers in the Force’s Firearms Prevent Team who are on standby to offer support and safeguarding measures to those involved.

"I would like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed any of these incidents on Saturday and also to anyone who may have seen the black Honda Civic in the area to come forward to assist with our investigation.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the police via 101 quoting crime reference 13170359822 or alternatively information can be passed to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111