A man has been shot on the doorstep of his Birmingham home after answering a knock at his door in the early hours of today.

Police said the 39-year-old man was shot once in the chest after being ambushed by up to four men as he opened the door of the house in Edgbaston, near to Belgrave Middleway, at about 1.30am.

He was this afternoon in a “serious but stable” condition in hospital although his injury was not thought to be life-threatening.

West Midlands Police said initial witness reports indicated a group of up to four men were seen running from the scene in the direction of Princess Road following the incident.

The scene, in Lenchs Green, this afternoon remained sealed off by police as forensic experts began to search for evidence.

Officers were also conducting house-to-house inquiries.

Detectives from nearby Belgrave Road police station are investigating.

A police spokesman said: “Detectives have launched an inquiry to establish the exact circumstances. At this stage the motive is unclear, but it appears the victim sustained the gunshot wound when he answered a knock on the door of his address.”

People living in the quiet residential street expressed shock that something like this could have happened in their neighbourhood.

Jacob Johnson, aged 30, who lives in the street son, said: “It’s usually peaceful around here.”

Tom O’Connor, aged 62, said: “We have been here 30 years and we have never had any trouble. It’s usually quiet.”

Christina West, aged 21, of Pershore Road, said: “I’m shocked. That’s the second tragedy round here but Lenchs Green is usually quiet.” This year has already seen a number of apparently unconnected incidents.

In April, Dominique Grant, aged 20, from Edgbaston, was shot dead following an argument in nearby Uplands Road. A 21-year-old, also from Edgbaston, has been charged with his murder.

On May 9 a man was gunned down in a drive-by shooting outside the Flex Fitness gym in Moseley Street, Highgate.

Meanwhile, two men were wounded when up to eight shots were fired in Albert Road, Handsworth, on May 26.