Paolo Gentiloni says criminal behaviour cannot be motivated by politics, adding warning against 'fuelling a spiral of violence'.

A bullet hole is seen in a shop window as police forensics officers carry out investigations in the area following the wounding of several foreign nationals in a drive-by shooting at Macerata, on February 3, 2018
Image: Five men and a woman were injured in the shooting

Italy's prime minister says the country will not be divided by "hatred and violence" after an Italian man shot at black migrants in the city of Macerata.

Six people were injured, one of them seriously, in what police have said was a racially-motivated attack.

The suspect, 28-year-old Luca Traini, had an Italian flag draped over his shoulders when he was arrested.

Witnesses said he had also made a fascist salute.

Suspected gunman Luca Traini
Image: Luca Traini ran for anti-migrant party the Northern League in local elections

PM Paolo Gentiloni said: "The judiciary will make its decisions but one thing is certain: heinous crimes and criminal behaviour will be prosecuted and punished."

He added: "I trust the sense of responsibility of all political forces: criminal behaviour cannot have any ideological motivation - delinquents are delinquents."

The shooting on Saturday happened just days after a Nigerian man was arrested in connection with the death of an 18-year-old Italian woman.

Pamela Mastropietro's body was found dismembered and packed into two suitcases near Macerata.

The suspected shooter that opened fire on African migrants, identified as Luca Traini, 28, is seen detained by Italian Carabinieri in Macerata, Italy February 3, 2018. Pic: Italian Carabinieri
Image: The suspected gunman was arrested in Macerata. Pic: Italian police

Times journalist Tom Kington had told Sky News her murder had "created a huge wave of intolerance towards migrants locally, and has also been picked up by national right-wing politicians".

Mr Gentiloni warned: "The state will be particularly severe towards anyone thinking of fuelling a spiral of violence.

"Let's stop this risk, let's stop it right away, let's stop it together.

"Hatred and violence will not be able to divide us.

"The Italian people will know how to get together around the institutions and common values of the Republic."

An injured person is taken in an ambulance after the shootings
Image: One of those injured required surgery, police said

The shootings came as Italy heads towards its national election on 4 March, where immigration has become a key issue.

More than 600,000 migrants - mainly from Africa - have reached Italy by boat over the past four years.

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    Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni attends a news conference 23 December
    Image: PM Paolo Gentiloni issued a warning to 'anyone thinking of fuelling a spiral of violence'

    Matteo Salvini, head of the anti-migrant Northern League, has capitalised on Ms Mastropietro's murder in his campaign, and has vowed to deport 150,000 migrants in his first year of office if elected.

    It has emerged that Traini once stood as a candidate for the right-wing party at last year's local elections but he did not receive any votes.