A father who was shot through his front door has spoken for the first time about his ordeal and how the gunfire could have hit his young son.

The victim, who suffered serious leg injuries, said he and his family have been left traumatised by the shooting which took place on Friday, January 29.

Two months on, no-one has been charged and detectives are continuing to appeal for information.

The 31-year-old victim, who does not want to be named, said: "This incident has left me and my family extremely traumatised, we are all suffering long term effects.

“Someone has shot through the door of our home, not knowing who was behind the door.

"It could have been my four-year-old son" - shooting victim

"It could have been my four-year-old son there, he was in the house at the time and saw what happened to me.

“Our home should have been a place of safety for my son and that has now been destroyed.

"If anyone knows anything that could help the police with their investigation please, please come forward.”

Police attended the family’s home in Weybridge Close, Lordswood, after being called to a report a firearm had been discharged just before 9pm.

Detectives are following up enquiries that a man ran away from the scene and along a footpath off Weybridge Close moments after the gun shots.

DS Alastair Worton, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: “We have carried out enquiries locally, including exploring CCTV opportunities.

"It would have been dark at the time of the incident but I would urge anyone who was in the area and who has not already spoken to the police to get in touch, no matter how irrelevant you think your information may be.

"We will look into any new lines of enquiry as part of our active investigation.”

A 21-year-old woman and a 35-year-old man were arrested on February 2, in connection with the incident, but were released without charge.