Shots fired at NSW Hunter home in drive-by

A spate of drive-by shootings in the NSW Hunter region in which criminal groups are "settling their differences" has prompted police to form a special strike force.

A Maitland home in the suburb of Tenambit was sprayed with bullets on Tuesday night but no one was home, police said.

It is the third drive-by shooting in as many weeks.

"It appears rival criminal elements are resorting to violence to settle their differences," Detective Superintendent Craig Jackson said on Wednesday.

"It's not something we're going to tolerate."

A newly-formed strike force will work to identify those responsible.

"We want to stress to the community that it is our belief that those involved are known to each other and it's our intention to disrupt their violent behaviour," Det Spt Jackson said.