A GUNMAN on a bicycle shot a car in an incident being linked to a shooting at a house in Billingham on Wednesday.

Police insisted they are doing all they can to find those responsible for the two shootings during a public meeting held to reassure the town’s residents on Thursday.

At around 2.45pm Tuesday afternoon, a cyclist fired two shots at a black car that was parked on Windlestone Road before fleeing on his bike.

Armed police, riot vans and a dog unit responded to a second shooting, when a property on Hylton Road was targeted at 10.40pm on Wednesday.

On Thursday evening, witnesses reported seeing armed police in the Bowes Road area of the town, with the police helicopter circling the streets.

Detective Inspector Jon Tapper, from Cleveland Police’s major crime team, said the two shootings were linked and were targeted attacks, with no injuries as a result.

He said: “Incidents of this nature are thankfully very rare and detectives are doing everything possible to identify and trace those involved.

“These incidents are believed to be targeted. Yesterday evening officers attended a public meeting in the Billingham area to reassure the public that work is ongoing to bring those responsible to justice.

“There was a lot of police activity around the area yesterday evening and throughout the night and we would like to thank the public for their support in this investigation so far.”

Police say the black car was spotted with a white car in the Low Grange area of Billingham at the time of the shooting, with the occupants of both vehicles known to each other.

They are now appealing for information about the incidents, with witnesses asked to contact police on non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.