Neighbours are "shocked" and "afraid" following a shooting mere metres from their homes.

People of Pretoria Avenue and Lime Street, Walthamstow, reacted with fear after a man in his 20s was shot last night (June 22).

The man remains in a serious condition in an east London hospital with injuries thought not life threatening.

No arrests have been made but police believe it may be gang-related with Trident and Area Crime Command now making enquiries. 

Some residents were unaware of the shooting until they awoke to a police road bloke in place. 

Retired council worker, Jeff Bonney, 70, lives round the corner from the incident in Lime Street, but said he didn't hear anything due to the "bad storm".

He added: "The weather covered it all up.

"We get used to that sort of thing round here. There’s not much you can do about it."

A few doors down from Mr Bonney is Anca Puici, 27, a cleaner who was asleep when police arrived last night after 10pm.

She said: "I just saw the ambulance and the police car but I didn’t think much about it.

"I am so shocked, a neighbour just came up to me and said he heard a bang last night, but the weather so bad.

"Maybe they were thinking nobody would hear anything and get away with it."

Retired museum curator, Raymond Waters, 71, of Lime Street, also "didn't hear anything" due to the "bad storm".

He added: "It is not something you expect to happen, this is normally a quiet road and a quiet area.

"I am really shocked, I have never felt unsafe in the 35 years I have lived here.

"You do hear about this sort of thing going on in other areas with people running around with fire arms.

"But you don’t expect it around here."

Babysitter, Catarina Vicheva, lives in Pretoria Avenue and was unaware of the shooting.

She said: "I am very afraid now, I just do not understand, there was very strong rain.

"I am surprised, I did not think anything bad happened in this area.

"It is not good."

Any witnesses or anyone with any information are urged to call police via 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.