Police have seized sawn-off shotguns, ammunition and more than £200,000 of class A Drugs at the start of an operation to tackle gun crime in the Bradford district.

Operation Sabredale was launched with the aim of making the streets of Bradford safe, following a series of firearms incidents, which are often linked to feuds between drug dealers.

Dozens of officers have daily been targeting suspects, focusing particularly on the Holme Wood, West Bowling and Girlington areas.

Police have so far executed 29 search warrants during the ongoing operation – including 22 under the Misuse of Drugs Act and two under the Firearms Act.

During the raids two sawn-off shotguns and 90 rounds of ammunition were seized from an address in Manningham. A 25-year-old man has appeared in court on drugs and firearms charges and been remanded in custody.

The operation has seen class A drugs worth £200,000, mostly heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine, seized from across the district, along with class B cannabis valued at £10,000, and £12,000 in cash.

A total of 38 people have been arrested so far, almost half of them for drugs offences. The suspects have been charged, cautioned, or bailed pending further inquiries.

West Yorkshire Police said Operation Sabredale was a response to recent firearms issues in Bradford and was intended to keep the public safe.

Detective Chief Inspector Dan Greenwood, in charge of Crime and Operations for the Bradford District, said: “We take a pro-active approach to removing firearms from the streets of Bradford, to ensure that people who live and work in the city remain safe.

“We are policing on the front foot in dealing with firearms and this is part of it.”

Police have stepped up the war on gun crime after a number of incidents, though most firearms discharges in the district involve damage to property, and they have reduced the number of gun incidents since 2009.

Only last week a window and door at a terraced house in Merton Road, Great Horton, was damaged in a targeted gun attack. Nobody was hurt and a 25-year-old man was arrested and bailed in connection with the incident.

They are keen to stamp out the problem completely and Operation Sabredale is playing a significant role.

Det Chief Insp Greenwood added: “We would love to take every firearm that is out there off the streets. We want to make sure the people of Bradford are safe and feel safe.”

The operation has involved between 50 and 60 officers every day, including Neighbourhood Policing Team officers, supported by the Crime Division and Operations Support.

Officers have also been working with the DVLA targeting uninsured or untaxed vehicles, and those used in anti-social behaviour and criminal activity. There are strong links between vehicles and drug dealing, as well as firearms offences.

Detective Superintendent Dean Henson, of the Crime Division, said: “We have had large numbers of officers out each day on this operation, executing search warrants and tackling issues around anti-social behaviour, drugs and firearms. We have also been giving reassurance to members of the public and engaging with them about the wishes of the community.”

Det Chief Insp Greenwood said: “We are very pleased with the way the operation has gone so far. We have had great support from the public and have provided with much intelligence from the community.

“Operation Sabredale is about our commitment to keeping the communities of Bradford safe and reducing the fear of firearm-related crime.

“If people are concerned about what is happening in their area they can speak to their local Neighbourhood Policing Teams, which are in the heart of local communities and are the eyes and ears against crime.”

Anyone with any information about gun crime, or drugdealing, should ring Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or West Yorkshire Police on 101. They can also contact their local NPT officer.