Police and council bosses have been accused of failing to tackle crime in a neighbourhood where a drive-by shooting took place.

Part of Girlington Road, Bradford, was closed off yesterday after the shooting close to a primary school and elderly people’s sheltered housing complex.

Shotgun cartridges were found on the road outside Girlington Mini Market after a weapon was believed to have been fired into the air from a parked car just before 10.30pm on Tuesday.

Shocked residents rushed out of their houses after hearing at least three shots where a gang of young men had been seen hanging around the corner of Girlington Road and Birch Street.

One resident who heard the shots said: “There were three bangs, louder than fireworks. I could see a gang of youths hanging around a shop corner, shouting that someone had ‘dropped some shots’.”

Another woman said: “We’re used to fighting and drugs on the street, but never had gunshots before.”

Local people said they had been troubled with anti-social behaviour and drugs in the area and had made numerous reports to police and councillors.

Speaking about the shooting, Mohammed Saleem, who runs Mr Fix It DIY store, said: “This kind of thing brings shame on Girlington. We have told the police and the council about what is happening on our street corner, but nothing has been done.”

Girlington ward councillor Arshad Hussain (Lab) said: “A lot of work has been done. We have a decent number of patrols. We are working with the police to tackle the kind of problems that any street in Bradford could have.”

Insp Steve Dodds, of the Manningham and Toller Neighbourhood Policing Team, said he was aware of the community’s concerns, but said neighbourhood officers were tackling the issues on a daily basis.

Anyone with information should call the police on the new 101 non-emergency number or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.