East Dunbartonshire shooting: Gunman on the loose in Scotland after shooting near primary school

The victim is being treated in hospital

Police are investigating a shooting near St Helens primary school (Danny Lawson/PA Wire) (PA Wire)

A manhunt is underway for the gunman behind a shooting near a primary school in East Dunbartonshire, Scotland.

According to Police Scotland, the attacker shot a 33-year-old man on Dornoch Place, Bishopbriggs, at 15:10 on Thursday.

The shooting occurred just as students from two nearby schools - St Helen’s Primary School and Bishopbriggs Academy - were leaving for the day.

No-one from the schools is thought to have been involved in the incident.

The victim, who is being treated in hospital, was approached by the gunman who ran off towards Ronaldsay Drive after opening fire.

No-one else was injured.

Detectives at Kirkintilloch Police Office, who are "following a number of lines of inquiry", have ramped up the number of police patrols in the area to reassure locals.

The suspect is in his mid-40s, around 6ft tall, and with a heavy build. He was wearing a yellow high-visibility jacket with the hood pulled up, and carrying a silver hand gun.

Police believe a burnt out grey Volkswagen Golf found near the scene was involved.

Chief Inspector Craig Smith said, "Understandably, the local community is very concerned about such a violent incident occurring mid-afternoon in a busy residential area of Bishopbriggs, close to a local school.

"I have officers carrying out high-visibility patrols, engaging with the public to reassure them that we are doing everything we can to establish who is responsible for this incident.

"Detectives are carrying out door-to-door inquiries and are currently gathering CCTV footage for review, and are following a number of lines of inquiry."

Several streets in the area have been cordoned off by officers and a police helicopter has also been at the scene.

Detective Inspector Greig Wilkie said: "I would appeal to anyone in the area of Dornoch Place at this time and could have seen anything suspicious to come forward and help with our inquiry.

"A grey Volkswagen Golf was also recovered burnt out in the area of Wood Lane which is a short distance away and this vehicle is suspected to be involved. I would appeal for anyone who has seen a vehicle of that description near to the incident or where it was recovered to contact the police urgently."

Additional reporting by PA