A father-of-three has died from gunshot injuries following a shooting incident during a police drugs raid at a house in Bradford.

The 49-year-old suffered the fatal injuries during a struggle with unarmed officers at the detached property on Buckingham Crescent, Clayton, just after 1pm yesterday.

It is believed the man, named locally as Colin, was armed when police entered the house and that the gun was discharged during a struggle with officers from the local neighbourhood policing team who had been called to the address to conduct a search warrant.

The victim died at the scene. No police officers were harmed during the incident.

Neighbours said the victim had three young daughters, including twins, who attended nearby St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School, and a wife who was of Asian appearance.

One neighbour on nearby Crestville Terrace said: “We saw three young Asian girls huddled together before getting into an ambulance.”

Another neighbour, who lived on Middle Lane, said Colin was a security officer who she believed had his own company.

She described him as a “friendly, family man” who took his daughters to school and would always say hello. She added that Colin was white and muscular and keen on neighbourhood safety.

Colin’s home, a smart detached house with three cars – including a Range Rover with a personalised registration plate – a motorhome and a caravan outside, was fitted with external CCTV cameras.

The woman, who said Colin used to have a Rhodesian Ridgeback dog, added: “He was very private about people going into his house.”

One man, who lives on Middle Lane, who did not want to be named, said: “It is a shock having someone shot just round the corner.”

Father Joseph Pearce, of St Anthony’s Catholic Church in Clayton, said Colin and his daughters had attended the church, but that he hadn’t seen them there for “two or three years”.

He added: “In recent years they made their first Holy Communion here. He was friendly.

“It is a complete shock. I didn’t know anything about his private life but I had no reason to suppose anything like this was going to happen.”

Other locals in the picturesque area told of their shock at someone being shot dead so close to their homes.

One said: “It is dreadful. You don’t realise how near you are to these things.”

Chris Bolton, 47, of Middle Lane, said: “I have lived here nine years and it is really, really quiet round here. This has come as a complete shock.”

One woman said: “This just doesn’t happen in sleepy Clayton.”

Clayton and Fairweather Green councillor Carol Thirkill (Lab) said: “It is tragic for his family and friends. I don’t know the circumstances but it is definitely a tragic incident that has occurred. You feel for his family.

“It is not something you expect to happen in any residential area.”

A police cordon had been set up around the property, and several police vans, cars and officers were on the scene last night.

A statement from West Yorkshire Police read: “Shortly after 1pm this afternoon, local neighbourhood policing team officers attended an address on Buckingham Crescent in the Clayton area of Bradford to conduct a drugs warrant. The officers were all unarmed.

“On entering the property, a struggle ensued with one of the occupants during which a firearm was discharged.

“The occupant, a 49-year-old man, received fatal injuries and died at the scene.

“As a result of these circumstances, and in accordance with established procedures, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has been informed and is attending the scene.”

An IPCC spokesman said: “Following a referral from West Yorkshire Police about an incident in Bradford on April 4, the IPCC deployed an investigator to the scene. A thorough assessment about the level of IPCC involvement required is now under way.”