Six teenagers were targeted in a drive by shooting in Mitcham on Saturday night.

Police said several shots were fired at the group from a passenger on a passing motorbike, leaving a 16-year-old with bullet wounds to his left leg.

Officers are hunting the driver and gunman, last spotted leaving the scene in Bookham Court, Phipps Bridge Road, at about 11.40pm.

They were both disguised in black and detectives have no further description.

The victim, from Tooting, was rushed to hospital but has since been released.

The incident follows a major police operation to crack down on violent attacks in the area after two teenagers were stabbed in an unprovoked incident in St Mark’s Road two weeks ago.

Police are treating that incident as gang related - thought to be between Wandsworth’s gang, SUK (Stick‘em up Kidz) and Mitcham’s TZ (Terror Zone) - the same gangs that clashed in Mitcham in 2006 during a brawl that cost the life of 16-year-old Eugene Attram.

But according to Merton police, Saturday’s shooting is not currently being treated as gang related.

Superintendent Pete Dobson was keen to stress this was an “unusual incident for the borough which remains one of the safest in London”.

He said: “We are supporting the ongoing investigation by our specialist operation Trident officers and taking local measures to reassure our community.

“We have consulted with local residents and community leaders immediately affected by this. We are aware of the challenges faced by our neighbouring boroughs and are working with them to help bring these offenders to justice.”

He added that safer neighbourhood teams have already conducted several community reassurance visits in the Cricket Green area.

If you have any information that can help the police with their inquiries, call 020 8785 8580 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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