Middleton shooting: Man arrested after being shot in the leg on Thorpe Road

Armed officers were called to Thorpe Road, Middleton, at 7.50pm last night after the ambulance service received a report that a man had been shot.

A 31-year-old man turned up at hospital with a gunshot wound to the leg.

His injuries are not considered life threatening and he has now been arrested in connection with the incident.

A large police scene is in place on Thorpe Road while police conduct forensic examination and specialist searches.

The cordon stretches from the junctions with Acre Road and Acre Mount and extends onto Thorpe View.

The road is closed to all traffic and pedestrians this morning and officers are directing people away from the area.

A nearby resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, said he witnessed armed police arriving at the scene.

He said: "We heard the sirens and saw flashing lights speed past just before we put the kids to bed.

"The police put up the cordon and wouldn’t let any residents through.

“This area has a bit of a fearsome reputation but we feel safe here. Things happen all over - when I lived in Horsforth incidents would happen there too.”

The investigation into the shooting is being led by West Yorkshire Police Homicide and Major Enquiry Team.

Police would like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who has any information which could help the investigation.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Vanessa Rolfe said: “Our investigation is still at a relatively early stage but we are carrying out extensive enquiries to establish the full circumstances of this incident.

“We would like to hear from anyone who has witnessed the incident in Thorpe Road or who has any information that could assist the investigation.

“The criminal use of firearms on our streets is always something we treat extremely seriously.

“We recognise that an incident such as this will cause understandable concern in the community and we are working closely with our colleagues at Leeds District, including the local neighbourhood policing team, to provide suitable reassurance.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team via 101 quoting reference 13210015548 or online via www.westyorkshire.police.uk/101livechat

Information can also be given anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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