Gunmen asked a man waiting for a bus to stand aside while they shot out the windows of a shelter he was standing in.

The stunned passenger could not believe his eyes when the men opened up with what police believe was a high-powered air pistol or rifle.

The same offenders later took pot shots at a passing bus and smashed windows.

The driver suffered shock but there was no one on board and no injuries caused.

Police believe the offenders were out to cause criminal damage and had taken care not to injure anyone.

But Inspector Mark Piper said:

"This was very stupid behaviour and potentially very dangerous.

"It also caused damage and we need to bring these offenders to justice."

The attacks began just before 7pm on Sunday in Crawley.

Windows in a shelter in Dorsten Square were smashed before two men made off in a dark, possibly red, Toyota Celica with a flat fin on the rear and driven by a blonde woman.

Travelling along Bewbush Drive, they then fired at an oncoming bus, smashing two offside central windows.

The gunmen were last seen heading towards the Gossops Green area.

Insp Piper said: "CCTV footage is being analysed and we would appeal to the public for information relating to the car or the occupants.

"We need to stop these people before they cause serious harm."

The woman car driver is white, in her early 20s with shoulder-length blonde hair. She wore an off-white Parka coat with fur trim.

One of the men is white, in his 30s, 5ft 9ins and wore a black short leather jacket and blue jeans. The second man is white and in his 20s.

Anyone with information should call Crawley police on 0845 6070 999.