Warring gangs are believed to behind a violent-fuelled weekend which saw four people injured in two double shootings in Brent.

Police have told the Times they are probing a gang connection following the two shooting incidents which are not being connected to each other.

In the first incident a man and a womn, both in their 20s, were gunned down in Hilltop Avenue on the Stonebridge Estate on Friday evening just before 8pm.

According to a source one was shot in the stomach and the other in the leg but it is not known which victim sustained what injury.

Both were rushed to hospital where the man is in a serious but stable condition and the woman’s injuries are less serious.

The two other shooting victims, both men aged 21 and 22, were shot 48 hours later in Kingsbury Road, Kingsbury on Sunday night at 10.30pm.

They were taken to hospital where their injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

The 22-year-old was discharged on Monday but the other victim remains in hospital.

Detectives believe the suspects were driving a black car.

Superintendent Nigel Quantrell, from Brent Police, told the Times: “The recent shootings on our borough are a great concern. They appear to indicate an escalating dispute between gangs and gang members. This is not something we will tolerate and will be taking robust action to tackle.”

“Most of those involved are gang members and we must take strong action to try and prevent and deter this criminality.”

Issusing a message to violent ganag memenrs, he said: “We will be increasing our proactivity to disrupt those involved with gang crime, using every legal and ethical avenue available. Every piece of intelligence we have on known gang members will be investigated and action taken.

“Where minor offences unconnected to gang crime, but connected to gang members is identified action will be taken.”

He added that police patrols in borth Stonebridge and Kingsbury are to be increased.

Officers from the Met’s Trident and Area Crime Command are investigating both shootings.

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.