A drive-by shooting took place outside an apartment building in Middletown yesterday, in what detectives suspect may be gang-related.

The firearm was discharged along Curving Avenue, Pembroke, shortly after 5 p.m.

No one was injured but residents claim to have heard several shots along the busy residential street. "We heard five shots at about quarter-past," said one woman, who did not wish to be named.

Police last night confirmed they have recovered more than one bullet casing, and that a motorcycle was seen in the area at the time.

The shooting took place near the steps to the apartment building next to the 'Greater' Smith Hill New Testament Church of God.

Officers cordoned off a section of Curving Avenue as they scoured the church driveway and grounds of the apartments for forensic evidence.

Chief Inspector Nicholas Pedro appealed for witnesses or anyone with information to contact the Police.

"At the time of the incident we would expect people travelling through or living in the area may have seen something suspicious which may have aroused their attention," he said.

He confirmed detectives have retrieved "items of forensic value" which include spent shells, but could not disclose further details.

Chf Insp Pedro added: "We are still making inquiries. There is some indication a motorcycle did go through the area at the time of the incident and we are following this up."

Asked whether detectives are treating the shooting as gang-related, he said: "It's too early to comment on that, but a lot of these shootings appear to be gang-related. "It would seem to make sense that people who are riding around and discharging firearms in a public place are engaged in criminal activity or gang activity."

It is the second reported drive-by shooting in the neighbourhood in the past year. On May 22 two men rode a motorcycle down Rambling Lane and along Curving Avenue, firing several shots.

The incident took place at around 3 p.m. Local residents claimed the shots were directed at the Parkside gang in retaliation for two men being shot earlier that day in St. Monica's Road the turf of rival gang 42.

Anyone with information on the latest shooting should contact the Hamilton Criminal Investigation Unit on 295 0011 or the confidential Crime Stoppers hot line on 800 8477.