It is believed the shots were fired at the pubs’ security staff.

But police said they are relatively trouble free and have used the same security firm for some time without a problem.

Chief superintendent Stephen Watson, the area commander, said last night: “These pubs are not poorly run and they are not frequented by nefarious characters.

“Obviously they are in close proximity to each other and there has been some form of dispute because this is a targeted attack.

“The landlords are very distressed.

“They run orderly premises and these were attacks carried out in terrifying circumstances.”

The gunmen wore motorbike helmets and police are struggling to gather detailed descriptions.

People living nearby said they were shocked by the attacks.

One resident: “The Sefton is a nice pub. It’s the kind of place where you would go for a meal and the owners are a good sort.

“No-one can understand why this happened.”

Merseyside police superintendent Jon Roy branded the attacks “despicable”.

He said: “We are fortunate no-one was killed.

“The people responsible for these attacks showed a total disregard for anyone who may have been drinking in those pubs, or walking near them, and they need to be caught.”

“There is no place for violence of this nature on Merseyside.”

Police conducted fingertip searches and crime scene investigators did forensic tests in the area meaning roads were closed for more than 24 hours.

Officers also conducted house-to-house inquiries and increased high visibility patrols to reassure the local community.

Anyone with any information should call the Guncrime hotline on 0800 458 1211 or Crimestoppers free and anonymously on 0800 555 111.