POLICE investigating the shooting of a man in Hollywood have launched an appeal for three young men seen near the blazing getaway car to come forward.

The man, who is in his 40s, was shot through the lounge window while holding his six-day-old baby girl at their home in Lee Road, Hollywood, just before 11pm on Thursday, November 14.

One bullet struck the man’s foot, causing a serious injury which required surgery, and the other narrowly missed him. The infant was uninjured.

The offenders drove off at speed in a black Vauxhall Astra, which was then found on fire in Peterbrook Road, in Shirley, a distance of less than two miles away, about 20 minutes later.

Detective Chief Inspector Jon Marsden of West Mercia Police said: “We believe the occupants of the Astra set it on fire and switched to another vehicle.

“Three young men in their early 20s were seen in or near a blue Peugeot 308, believed to be an 07 plate, near the blazing car, and we would like to trace them as they may have information which could help the inquiry.

“I must emphasise they are potential witnesses and not suspects in this inquiry. They may not even have realised the car on fire was linked to the shooting or may think they do not have anything of value to tell us, but any piece of information, no matter how insignificant it seems, could be valuable to the investigation.

“We would also like to re-appeal to anyone who knows who carried out this shooting to come forward. If anyone is reluctant to get involved for whatever reason, I would like to remind them that the victim was holding a very young baby. We don’t know if the offenders were aware of the child’s presence but if so, then they clearly gave no thought to the risk to her.”

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to ring Redditch CID on the non-emergency number 0300 333 3000 quoting incident 689-s-141113. However if people do not want to speak to the police directly, they can ring the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.