VIDEO: Gang warfare fears as firearms are shot 230 times in South Yorkshire in less than a year

Shocking figures today reveal firearms have been discharged 230 times in South Yorkshire in less than a year - leading to fears of gang warfare on our streets.
Aseel Al-Essaire.Aseel Al-Essaire.
Aseel Al-Essaire.

Weapons including air rifles, explosive firearms and guns were discharged at a rate of about five times a week over the last 10 months.

Sheffield has the highest number in South Yorkshire with 95 incidents between April 1 2016 and February 8 this year.

Aseel Al-Essaire.Aseel Al-Essaire.
Aseel Al-Essaire.
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These latest figures come after a wave of gun crime in the city that has left one man dead and another fighting for life in hospital.

Aseel Al-Essaie, aged 23, was shot in the chest and killed in Daniel Hill, Upperthorpe, last Saturday afternoon - just five days after Cameron Spalding, aged 25, was shot in the chest in a separate incident in Butterthwaite Road, Shiregreen. He was in a stable condition in hospital earlier this week. There is no suggestion that the victims were involved in gang crime activities.

In the weeks prior, dramatic CCTV captured the moment an armed yob fired two bullets into the home of elderly couple James and Janet Tuckett in Shiregreen in what police believe was a case of mistaken identity. Days before shots were also fired at a home in High Green.

Those believed to be responsible are still at large.

CCTV of an armed man firing a gun at a couple's home in Southey Green.CCTV of an armed man firing a gun at a couple's home in Southey Green.
CCTV of an armed man firing a gun at a couple's home in Southey Green.

Concerns have now been raised about a rising tide of possible gang violence in the city - amid fears that innocent members of the public are getting caught up in disputes between rival factions.

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Dr Alan Billings, police and crime commissioner for South Yorkshire, admitted there are "clearly issues about guns and gangs in Sheffield" and that "it is something we have to watch and keep an eye on."

He added: "I am satisfied that the police are on top of it here as much as they can be but the disturbing thing recently is that guns are being used on the streets and therefore although incidents may be inter-gang issues there is always the possibility that innocent members of the public can be caught up in it.

"Saturday's incident (in Upperthorpe) was brazen, it was on a public street. When people discharge guns, bullets can fly in any direction and ricochet."

James Tuckett at his home.James Tuckett at his home.
James Tuckett at his home.

The statistics were revealed through an Freedom of Information request made to South Yorkshire Police asking on how many occasions officers have been called to deal with firearms incidents.

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Alongside Sheffield's 95 recorded incidents, Doncaster saw 49, Barnsley had 44 and Rotherham recorded 42. They included incidents where people have been injured and property damaged, and occasions when nobody was hurt.

The figures are slightly down when compared with the previous 12-month period - April 2015 to March 2016 - which saw 245 recorded incidents across South Yorkshire.

Police have made four arrests in connection with Mr Al-Essaie's death. A 22-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder and a 16-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder both remain in custody today. A 30-year-old man also arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder has since been released on bail and a 57-year-old woman was quizzed by detectives on suspicion of assisting offenders.

Aseel Al-Essaire.Aseel Al-Essaire.
Aseel Al-Essaire.

A 24-year-old man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder in relation to Mr Spalding's shooting has been bailed.

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Earlier this month police chiefs revealed that a crackdown on drug gangs using guns led to the seizure of 33 firearms in South Yorkshire over a six month period.

Superintendent Rebecca Chapman, firearms lead for the force, said most firearms incidents in South Yorkshire are linked to organised crime groups involved in the supply of drugs.

Last year South Yorkshire Police was ranked as the second worst force in the country for the number of shootings reported. The force is now ranked 10th in the list of 43 forces across England and Wales.

Contact police with information on 101.