Police patrols are being stepped up in the wake of two men being shot in broad daylight on the streets of west London.

Suspects who shot two men in their 20s in Hammersmith on Sunday and Notting Hill on Monday are still on the loose today as the victims remain in serious but stable conditions in hospital.

A man was shot in the back yards from his home in Hammersmith grove at 6:45pm on Sunday. A 27-year-old was then shot in the leg in a drive-by shooting in Colville Gardens, North Kensington at 7:20pm on Monday.

It has also come to light that three men were arrested at the scene of the first shooting in Hammersmith Grove at the time of the incident. Two of the men were arrested for intent to supply drugs and the third was arrested for possession of an offensive weapon. These arrests are not connected with the firearms incident.

Police have also confirmed that one line of inquiry is that the incidents are gang related.

Deputy Borough Commander Alisdair Ferguson said: "Specialist teams are investigating after a man was shot in Colville Gardens, Kensington.

"A 27-year-old man from the North West area of London was found with a gunshot wound to his leg. He was taken to a central London hospital where thankfully his condition, although serious, was not found to be life threatening. The crime is being investigated officers from the Met police Trident Gang Crime Command.

"While I understand that such a serious crime may give you cause for concern, let me assure you, that your local police will be doing all we can to provide our community with the protection and support they deserve.

"Extra police patrols will be mounted in the area to provide reassurance and answer your questions. We will also keep you updated on the progress we make in the investigation.

"We have no information that this incident reflects any further risk to the community in Kensington and Chelsea. Our increased police patrols in the area are purely a reflection our duty to ensure that you feel safe.

"Secondly, we do not have any evidence at this time that links this shooting to any recent incidents that have occurred in Kensington and Chelsea.

"As part of the investigation we are appealing to the community to work with the police to bring those responsible to justice.I therefore ask anyone who may have witnessed the attack, or has any other information that could assist, to contact police immediately.

"I can reassure any potential witnesses who may be worried about speaking to police that Trident officers have extensive expertise in protecting witnesses and have a range of measures to ensure your protection."

The Hammersmith victim is in a stable condition at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington after it is thought one bullet passed through his back, lung and arm - narrowly missing his rib cage.

The victim’s father is quoted as saying: “I heard some popping noises, like fire crackers, and then my boy came running in and said call an ambulance. He wasn’t breathing too well. He was shot in the back. I only saw one [bullet] hole because I was told by the ambulance to put pressure on it.

“I don’t know what happened. He’s 20 years younger than me but this age group don’t think first before they react.”

The road was closed for several hours as forensic teams scoured the scene.

No arrests have been made in connection with either shooting but detectives said there is ‘nothing to suggest’ that the shootings are linked.

Anyone with information about the attack should contact the Trident team on 0208 785 8580 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.