Armed police dawn swoop

Armed police swooped on the house in Taplin Road, Hillsborough.

Neighbours woke to the sound of screeching tyres and a barking police dog as armed officers in bullet-proof vests searched the property.

A sub-machine gun and ammunition were recovered and two people were arrested – a man in his 20s for attempted murder and a woman in her 20s for possession of a firearm.

The man, from London, was being questioned by police today in relation to a firearms incident in Broomhall on Wednesday.

Ray Hobbs, aged 47, who lives nearby, said: "Officers had their guns pointed at the front window of the house.

"I tried to get outside but there were between 10 and 15 coppers with guns who told me to get back in."

Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said he awoke to the sound of tyres screeching and policemen shouting.

He said: "They were asking if anybody was in there and saying that they had to come out. Two people came out and then they sent in the dog with a little camera on it and then went in to check all the rooms."

Det Sgt Bob Chapman, who led the operation yesterday morning, said: "We are pleased in relation to the firearm seized.

"It's part of Operation Impact On Crime and is another example of how, when we find out about serious crimes, we act quickly and robustly to take the firearm – and indeed the person – out of circulation.

"We are determined Sheffield will not end up like other cities around the country in relation to gun crime."

The armed response team was also deployed to Eleanor Street in Darnall on Monday following reports a resident had a gun. Police found no offence had occurred.