A community has been left in shock after a man was shot outside a convenience store in Southend in what police are calling a “targeted” attack.

Officers conducted a thorough search of the area following the incident, outside The York Superstore, in York Road, at about 9.20pm on Tuesday.

But no weapon was recovered and no arrests have been made in connection with the shooting.

The injured man presented himself to hospital in the early hours of Wednesday with a gunshot wound to the arm.

His injuries are not believed to be life-changing or life-threatening.

Carrie-Ann Wilcox, 26, lives near to where the shooting took place.

She said: “I didn’t see or hear anything but I heard a lot of commotion afterwards and people shouting and screaming.

“Then soon after armed police turned up.

“I know this isn’t the best road in Southend but I can’t believe someone has been shot near on our doorstep.

“I’ve got young kids here and I’m just glad they were asleep and not woken up by it all.

“It is mad to think what this town is coming to.

“Now we are having to worry about the fact the police haven’t caught the guy.”

Residents and eyewitnesses also took to social media.

Becky Motton posted: “When I went out in the evening and hit traffic, three armed police and an undercover police were trying to get past.”

Martin Terry, independent councillor for community safety, said: “We are aware of this incident and know that the person wasn’t seriously injured thank God, but nonetheless it is a very bad thing to have this type of occurrence in the town.

“We are doing all we can to improve community safety and I know police are making every effort to find out the perpetrator and make an arrest.”

He added: “It’s horrendous and concerns me as much as anyone else as I am a Southender myself.

“I understand people’s fears and concerns but there is a rise in crime all over the country - which is no excuse - but I want to reassure people that Southend is still a very safe place.”

A spokesman for Essex Police, said: “We are treating this as a targeted incident and would ask anyone with information to call 101 and quote incident 1120 of 26 November or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or go to https://crimestoppers-uk.org.