Two men are seriously ill after two shooting incidents within hours of each other in Battersea last night.

Police were called just before 5.25pm to reports of shots fired in Wye Street.

They discovered a 36-year-old man with stab wounds and rushed him to hospital in an ambulance.

Police believe shots were fired at the scene, but could not find anybody with gunshot injuries.

Shortly afterwards, at around 6.40pm, officers found a van in Lavender Hill near Mossbury Road with gunshot damage.

They then discovered a 24-year-man nearby who had been shot in the leg.

Both victims are in hospital in a serious but not life-threatening condition.

Detectives from Operation Trident are now investigating the incidents and are appealing for witnesses.

Five youths have been arrested in connection with the incidents and are in custody in separate south London police stations.

Police have refused to confirm or deny that they are treating the incidents as linked. Anyone with any information should call Wandsworth Police on 0300 123 1212 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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