Police have appealed for witnesses after reports that a screaming woman was dragged into a car in Bradford in the early hours.

Detective Inspector Gerry O'Shea, of Bradford North CID, said the alarm was raised by an anonymous caller at 2.20am today.

The man said a screaming woman was being dragged or bundled into a car by a gang of men in Nottingham Street, Thornbury.

Det Insp O'Shea said officers were quickly at the scene but no trace of the incident was found and the caller was not there, or did not make himself apparent.

He said: "We take this type of call very seriously. It maybe a hoax but we need the caller to come forward. We are also appealing for anyone in the area at the time who saw anything suspicious to contact us."

Det Insp O'Shea said the gang was described as Asian and the woman as white. The caller spoke of two cars involved, one light coloured, one dark.

He said that there had been no report of a woman missing.

Some residents in Nottingham Street told the Telegraph & Argus they heard vehicle doors slamming at the back of flats in the early hours today.

One man, who declined to be named, said he was watching TV when he heard noises in a secluded area behind his flat where he believes an incident may have happened. "I heard doors slamming, and shouting, and then a police officer came to ask if I had seen anything," he said.

Det Insp O'Shea urged the caller, or anyone who can help with the inquiry, to call the helpdesk at Bradford North on (01274) 376259.