Shots fired by men on a motorbike in Norris Green
Two men on a scrambler bike fired up to 13 shots at a van in north Liverpool, police have said.
Officers were called to Whinhowe Road in Norris Green after reports of shots being fired at a white Ford Transit van at about 12:00 BST.
Both the bike and the van left the scene following the incident and it is not known if anyone was injured or how many passengers were in the van.
A search of the area and house-to-house enquiries are under way.
Merseyside Police said patrols have been stepped up in the area.
Officers believe it was a targeted attack although the motive is not yet known.
Merseyside Police's Det Ch Supt Tony Doherty said: "This was an extremely reckless act that could have seen people injured or even killed.
"The offenders showed a dangerous disregard for not only the occupants of the van but also for members of the public who were in the area at the time."
He added: "We know that they are from that community. We know that they are terrorising and exploiting that community and we need people to help us.
"Tell us who they are, tell us where that motorcycle is, tell us who is keeping the guns for them, where they are hiding the guns, give us an identification and I promise we will go through their doors and we will go through their doors at the earliest opportunity."