POLICE are appealing for witnesses after several shotgun blasts were fired at flats in a residential Crewe street in the early hours of Friday.

The shooting took place at about 1.45am at a block of communal flats on the junction of Bedford Street and Gresty Road.

Police were ordered to the scene after receiving a report of firearms being discharged in the vicinity.

Bedford Street was cordoned off for several hours and it was later confirmed that several shots had been fired from a shotgun into the building's front door and the rear window.

The property had been unoccupied at the time of the incident and no injuries were sustained.

Police are unsure as to the motive behind the shooting but are appealing for further information concerning a group of men who were seen in Barker Street, also at around 1.45am.

"A number of men were seen in nearby Barker Street at around 1.45am and seemed to get into two vehicles before driving off towards Sinclair Street," said a police spokesperson.

Crewe CID want to hear from anyone who heard gunfire around the time of the incident or could describe the men in Barker Street and the vehicles they drove away in.

"It's obviously a concern that there has been a firearms incident in Crewe and investigations are currently underway to get to the bottom of it," said WDC Alex Newton.

Anyone with further information can contact DS Chris Myers and WDC Alex Newton at Crewe CID on 01244 613334 or confidentially on the Crimestoppers line 0800 555111.

BY TOBY ROBINSON