Drive-by shooting by gunman on motorbike leaves 72-year-old woman in hospital

A 72-year-old woman has been hurt in a drive-by shooting by a gunman riding a motorbike.

Merseyside Police said the woman is in a stable condition in hospital with a gunshot wound to her leg which is not thought to be life-threatening.

She was attacked while standing in the doorway of a house in Peckmill Green, in the Netherley area of Liverpool at around 6.10pm on Tuesday.

The force said the victim was shot by one of two men on a motorbike before the pair rode off in the direction of Wood Lane.

Detectives from the Matrix serious organised crime unit are investigating and the motive is said to be unclear but the attack is believed to be targeted.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Tivendale said: "We are keeping an open mind as to why this has happened and the investigation is in its early stages. Our priority is to establish who is responsible and to bring them to justice.

"Criminals who choose to settle their disputes with a weapon do not care about the widespread fear they bring to their own communities. We cannot and will not stand by and let people like that rule the roost.

"But to achieve safer streets we need the public to tell what they know about the criminals and I promise we will take robust action and put these people before the courts and in to the prisons.

"If you know something, please come forward - silence could result in someone being seriously injured, or killed in the future."

A cordon has been set up as forensic teams examine the scene and patrols have been stepped up, the force added.