DETECTIVES tonight urged witnesses to come forward and help in their hunt for the gunmen behind a doorstep shooting on an Oxford estate.

Detectives remained at Brampton Road, Barton, yesterday where forensic teams discovered the shot had been fired from a shotgun.

Two men knocked on the door at 10.40pm on Tuesday and asked the 59-year-old man who answered to confirm his name.

One of the men then pulled out a gun, but the intended victim slammed the door shut, knocking the weapon as it went off.

The shotgun blast missed him by inches and hit a wall.

The two men sped off in a dark-coloured hatchback car, believed to be Volkswagen Golf or a Polo.

Although statements were taken at the scene, no one has since come forward with information.

Det Ch Insp Colin Paine, said: “I would like the pubic to remain conscious this has happened, but reassured that this type of incident is extremely rare. We have a team of over 20 detectives working on this case.”

The householder, a father-of-three, now remains in hiding outside Oxfordshire.

One of the men was described as Asian or mixed race, between 5ft 8ins and 5ft 9ins tall. He was wearing smart clothing, including a grey top and black blazer.

Barton and Sandhills city councillor Patrick Murray said: “I’m sure the police will treat any information very sensitively and ensure people aren’t put at risk.”

Anyone with information should call police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.