Police are hunting a group of six men who fired a weapon at a member of the public on Saturday night. The victim, Paul Dale, was unhurt, and the men are believed to be Afghan illegal immigrants who were detained at a service station in Keele in the West Midlands hours earlier.

Farm worker Dale spotted the men “lurking around”, and when he followed them, one apparently shot at him, and missed.

Of the group of seven who were detained by police at a service station on Saturday night, six are believed to have fled the scene. They appear to have been travelling in a Hungarian lorry, and are believed to have entered Britain illegally.

The incident occurred on Saturday night at about 10.30pm on Three Mile Lane, which runs adjacent to Keele Services on the M6.

Armed police combed the area on Sunday, assisted by helicopters and dogs.

Chief Inspector Phil Fortun yesterday told the Stoke Sentinel: “We have been carrying out follow up investigations in the area which has including speaking to the public and stop-checking people.”

He added that police would today continue to have “a presence in the area to reassure residents.”

A police spokesman today confirmed that officers were continuing with their search, telling StaffsLive: “Forensic examination is being carried out on the vehicle and we are working closely with the member of the public – who was unharmed in the incident. Armed officers continue to search the area and are being assisted by police dogs and the police helicopter.”

Staffordshire police have warned the public not to approach the men if spotted, but to report sightings by calling 101 and quoting incident 817 of 10 October. In an emergency, the public should always dial 999, they said.