Shots fired in Sydney were criminal 'intimidation'

Police are unsure whether the latest shooting was targeted or random. Photo / Thinkstock

The firing of shots on a street in Sydney's southwest was probably an act of intimidation by a criminal network, police say.

Six spent cartridges were found on Pelman Avenue at Greenacre on Sunday, but acting deputy commissioner Alan Clarke said no particular home appeared to have been targeted and there had been no injuries.

"This appears to have been an intimidation tactic between criminal networks and our fear is it's indicative of guns on the street," Mr Clarke told reporters in Sydney on Sunday.

"We certainly wouldn't want an innocent member of the public to be caught up in one of these situations."

Since the start of January 13 shootings have occurred in Sydney, including eight in the past week.

Mr Clarke said these series of shootings appears to have been targeted and directed at certain premises.

He also added that police had refined a hit list of 70 to 80 people to a smaller number than reported in the media but declined to give details on individuals.

Mr Clarke said it was still too early to say whether the latest shooting was targeted or random.

"We can't confirm whether they were aiming for a house ..." he said.

"Whether the shots were fired into the air or whether they were targeting a premise is yet to be established."

- AAP