Shot fired during car robbery

The robbery took place in the Aston area of Birmingham

A young couple and their baby son escaped injury after thieves shot at them in broad daylight before stealing their car.

The shooting happened in the Aston area of Birmingham during Tuesday morning's busy rush-hour.

The couple, who only moved to the area last month, had just parked their distinctive banana yellow Mercedes near their home when they were confronted by two black youths in their late teens.

One pulled out a gun and let a shot off at everyone then shot off in the car

Paul Kamisky, neighbour

Armed with a handgun, the youths demanded the keys to the car before firing a shot in the husband's direction. He was unhurt.

As the robbery was taking place, his wife stood nearby cradling their 20-month-old son.

The thieves then jumped into the car and drove over the pavement and around a set of bollards along Old Park Walk in the direction of the A34.

'Screaming and shouting'

Neighbours of the couple, who are in their mid 20's, told BBC Radio WM that they had been woken by screaming.

Paul Kamisky said: "We heard screaming and shouting and came out of the front door to find our neighbours were hysterical.

"A couple of guys were trying to steal their car. One pulled out a gun and let a shot off at everyone then shot off in the car."

Lisa Maeers added: "I just saw a guy running to the car and the neighbours screaming and shouting telling me call the police."

West Midlands Police said the couple had been "terrified" by the incident, which was all the more alarming because it happened in broad daylight.

Vigilance warning

Acting inspector Adrian Taylor warned people to be vigilant.

He said: "Because of improvements in car security, it is sometimes easier in the eyes of the thieves to take the car with the keys.

"All we can say to people, particularly those with high powered vehicles, is to be vigilant and be aware of what's going on around them."

The police are appealing for anyone who has any information about the shooting to contact them on 0121 4286010.

They are also looking for more information about a blue saloon car that was in the area at the time of the shooting.