A masked gunman on foot fired at a car outside a primary school while parents were taking their children to class.

A shot was fired towards the car by a man outside Anfield Road primary school, just streets away from Liverpool Football Club's stadium at 9am this morning.

Police today condemned the shooting as an investigation was launched.

Pupils were being kept inside Anfield Road School in Anfield, Liverpool, after a report of a shot fired at a car at around 9am this morning, shortly after the children arrived for lessons

Liverpool area commander Mark Harrison said: 'It beggars belief that anyone could do something like this outside a primary school.

'There were parents taking their children in to the school when this happened and a child could have been seriously injured or worse.'

It was reported that a shot was fired towards a dark-coloured car by a man on foot, who was described as white and was wearing a grey hooded top and a black face covering.

Police are urging the driver of the vehicle to come forward to ensure they are safe and well and to help police with enquiries.

People living close to the school were also being warned by police to stay inside their homes while their road was cordoned off by officers

The school is just a few streets away from Liverpool Football Club's Anfield stadium

Checks have been made at local hospitals and no-one has sought medical attention for injuries caused by a firearm.

The gunman is believed to have made off along a nearby road, close to another primary school.

Chf Supt Harrison said: 'This appears to be a targeted attack and at this stage we do not believe that anyone was injured during the incident, although I would appeal to those in the car to come forward so we know they are safe and they may also have information which could help us find the person responsible.

'I want to take this opportunity to appeal to the local community who may have any information about this incident, or those involved, to come forward.

'These people are not carrying toys and these weapons can seriously harm or kill people, in the wrong hands they are a real threat to our communities. Criminals involved in gun crime have a complete disregard for our communities.

Police have warned that the shot could have 'seriously injured a child, or worse'

Officers carry out a fingerprint search along the road outside of school as they continue their investigation

'If you know something come forward, silence could result in someone being seriously injured, or killed in the future. If you want to help us make the streets safe for our children give us the information so we can take robust action.

'I promise you that we will act on all information given to us and we are relentless in our pursuit of those involved in gun crime on our streets, who are prepared to endanger the lives of our communities.'

The school's headteacher Claire Drew-Williams said: 'We would like to reassure people that our children are safe and were unaware of the incident that happened outside of the school site this morning.

'The site was not evacuated, the school day is continuing as normal and a trip for some pupils took place as planned.

'Due to the closure of the road for the police investigation we will be letting parents know about a change in arrangements to pick up their children at home time.'

Crime scene investigators are carrying out forensic examinations at the scene and witnesses from the area are being spoken to.

The car will be recovered for forensic examinations to be carried out. House-to-house enquiries are under way and officers will be examining CCTV footage. High visibility patrols have been stepped up in the area.

The primary school was placed on lockdown while police investigates reports of gunshots being fired outside