Telford drive-by shooting terror

A gunman in a moving car opened fire on the home of a terrified Telford family before speeding away early today.

Neighbours were woken at about 12.30am by the sound of up to four gunshots being fired at the house in Leicester Way, Leegomery, Telford.

Armed police and sniffer dogs descended on the quiet cul-de-sac to investigate the drive-by shooting which left a hole in the front window of a family's home.

Police said they had been called to the same address the night before after a gang wielding baseball bats turned up at the property. One person was arrested.

The family, which includes two young children of school age, is now be looked after by police.

Three other homes, believed to be in the Telford area, were being searched by police today in a bid to track down the offenders but no arrests have been made.

Armed police are also scouring the area in a bid to trace the vehicle involved in the shooting.

Inspector Tanya Beckett, of West Mercia Police, said: "We were called to reports of shots at a house by a person or persons from a vehicle. Armed officers were deployed.

"There was also an incident on the Thursday night - the night before - at the address, which we believe is linked.

"Police were called to reports of a disorder and of persons going to the address armed with baseball bats.

"We believe there is an assault that has happened historically which has led to tensions between the family at the address and another group of people. One person was arrested on the Thursday night.

"The family have been moved from the house for their own safety and are currently in the care of and being looked after by the police.

"There appears to be a certain amount of community tension in the area and we are currently conducting enquiries relating to both incidents.

"Officers were searching three homes this morning.

"And we are obviously looking for a vehicle - we have armed vehicles searching the area who are ready to perform an armed stop because of the fact there appears to be some sort of firearm involved."

Neighbours gathered in the normally quiet street to see the drama of the investigation unfold after hearing the shots.

One resident, who asked not to be named, said: "My mum rang me up screaming down the phone that there were police everywhere so I came to keep an eye on her. Generally this is a quiet area and we don't really get any trouble.

"I have spoken to the family a few times and I have played football with one of their lads.

"They keep themselves to themselves, they are a Jamaican family."

Another neighbour added: "I heard two loud bangs at about 12.30am."