Detectives are searching for a man who pulled a suspected handgun and fired at officers in Middletown, Pembroke just before 3 a.m. today.

Det. Insp. Steven Lightbourne of the Serious Crime Unit is leading the investigation after the man escaped into the densly populated neighbourhood on the outskirts of Hamilton.

A Police Media Relations spokesman said the incident began after officers attempted to stop the man on his cycle.

He drove into the neighbourhood and quickly abandoned the cycle before he "pulled out what is believed to be a firearm and shot at the policemen".

Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with any information to contact the SCU at 299-4315 or they can call the confidential Crimestoppers hotline at 1-800-623-8477.